Safety Tips for Use of Electric Appliances
Our homes are filled with things that run on electricity. They should be handled with care because they pose potential electrical hazards. Keep electrical hazards away from your home by safely handling electric appliances. The following safety precautions will help you eliminate electrical hazards to protect your family while using electrical appliances.
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Buy correctly rated equipment. The domestic supply here is 240 volts, 50 Hz. single-phase. Anything else is incorrect.
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If you must buy 110-volt equipment, make sure it is supplied with a three-pin plug for use on earthed systems, and use the correct transformer. Never cut off the earth terminal.
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Always follow appliance instructions carefully, and do not attempt amateur repairs or upgrades.
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If an appliance emits smoke or sparks, or if you feel a tingle or light shock when it's on, stop using it. Discard or replace the appliance, or have it repaired.
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Never ever use a domestic power supply for electric arc welding purposes. It may be unsafe, could damage your wiring, and will certainly damage sensitive electrical equipment.
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Routinely check your appliances and wiring.
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Dust is a major cause of failure in electrical equipment. Your appliances must be cleaned from time to time by a professional technician.
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Unplug any equipment with frayed, damaged or broken cords at once, and do not plug it back in until you have replaced those cords. Never attempt to patch a frayed cord back together---especially if that cord will be outside in the elements.
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If you have a computer at home, it is essential you also have a power protector. Forget the cheap kind; they're useless. Get one with a telephone connector too, if you regularly use the Internet.
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Christmas mini lights are cheap and not normally repairable. Don't take chances with fires or electric shock. Buy a new set every year.
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Never plug too many appliances into the same outlet. Most plug adapters are unsafe and are not recommended.
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Keep cords clean to prevent insulation from deteriorating.
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Never run cords under rugs. It conceals damage and can cause the cord to overheat and become a fire hazard.
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Air conditioners must be professionally sized for the room you want to cool. Too small and you overwork the unit; too large and you waste electricity.
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Lightning is the biggest danger to electrical appliances. When you see a lightning storm, unplug all electrical appliances. Turning the outlet switch off is not enough.