DANGERS OF ELECTRICITY

Staying safe around electricity is everyone's responsibility. You should watch out for yourself, your friends and your family.

Electricity is part of our everyday life - designed to provide us with a safe and reliable source of energy. Most of the time, electricity is our friend, but sometimes it can be dangerous. This happens when we're exposed to it in ways we were not meant to be. We can avoid these hazards by following some simple rules.

	Electricity and water do not mix Remember If your hands tingle when you put them into the sink it may mean the water is conducting electricity and something is wrong. Let Mum or Dad know, as they may need to call an electrician. When you have a bath, there should be nothing electrical anywhere near you. In a bath, the metal plughole and the plumbing is connected to the earth, making it a conductor of electricity. This means if a household appliance such as a light or hair dryer fell into the bath, whoever was in it would also become a conductor of electricity. Wherever you are, if you get into trouble call out for help and make sure not to touch anything. Get whoever helps you to turn the electricity off.
Water can conduct electricity because electrons can flow by hitching a ride on atoms and molecules in the water. Water contains dissolved substances, such as salt. These greatly increase the ability of water to conduct electricity. That's why electricity passes easily through our bodies - because our bodies contain water and salt. This is also why it's important to keep water away from electrical appliances.

Be careful around electricity poles and wires when you play Remember If you fly a kite and it gets caught in the overhead powerlines, live electricity could travel down the string and seriously hurt you. So be careful! Never climb a tree that is near powerlines. Look up before you climb! After a storm if you see some fallen powerlines, stay well clear of them. There is a strong chance they are still "alive".
We all like to play outside, but there are electrical hazards that we need to know about. Electricity poles and wires are all around us. They can be above us, next to us, and even below us. Whenever you can, play in open spaces away from electricity poles, towers and powerlines.

	Metal is a conductor of electricity and can be dangerous Remember Never put a metal object - like a knife - into a toaster. It is very dangerous! Never put anything in a power point that's not meant for it. Electricity will travel right up the metal object into your body. Be careful when climbing a ladder at home. The power lines connected to our house are usually protected, but they can be damaged by rubbing against the gutter or a tree, or through exposure to the sun. If a person is on a metal ladder and touches the exposed line, the electricity will travel through their body to the earth.
We all come into contact with metal objects on a daily basis - turning on a tap, playing with our computers and toys and even using the fridge. Because metal conducts electricity, you have to be very careful when you use metal items.

Stay away from electricity substations Remember Sometimes it's tempting to ignore signs and fences around substations. Remember, the warnings are there for everyone's protection, so make sure you follow them! Substations contain special equipment with invisible hazards. You don't even have to touch anything to get hurt. Just being too close to some substation equipment can be dangerous, and may even kill you!
You will find electricity substations and power equipment all over the place. They are behind fences, in buildings, or on the side of the footpath, and most have danger signs. Substations transform the voltage generated at power stations so it can be distributed to homes, schools and businesses. Sometimes they are near parks and play areas. Substations are safe, but you must follow the rules.

	If you see a dangerous situation involving electricity, tell an adult! Remember Faulty appliances and damaged electrical leads should be disconnected at the power point and fixed or replaced by an electrician. Never stack power points. Use a power board or have an extra power point installed. Stacked power points can cause fires.
Always be on the look out for dangers in and around your home. This could be anything from a faulty electrical lead to a "stacked" power point - one with too many plugs in it. These situations could be life threatening and an electrician should be called in to fix them.

Know what to do in an electrical emergency If you come across an emergency involving electricity Ensure your own safety Turn the power off at the power point and remove the plug (if you are able to do so) Get an adult Ring 000
We all hope that we are never in an emergency involving electricity, but if we are, it's important to know what to do.

	DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG! Remember Before you or your family do any major digging in the yard you should get Mum or Dad to ring Dial Before you Dig on 1100 to make sure there are no underground cables near your property.
If you hit a buried power line you could be electrocuted, as well as possibly interrupting the power to your suburb.