How do I change a light bulb?

• Identify the bulb-type that needs to be changed. Check whether it is a screw-in or bayonet type, and whether you have a new one in stock.
  Note: Keep a torch handy. You may need it to change a bulb after dark.
• Switch off the mains switch on the distribution board or electricity dispenser.
• Switch off the light at the light switch or wall socket.
• Note: If a lamp's bulb is to be changed, switch off the lamp switch and remove the plug from the wall socket.
• Remove the faulty bulb. If the bulb is a bayonet type, insert it carefully into the light socket, and twist it gently until the bayonet pins slot into place. If the bulb is a screw-in type, insert it carefully into the light socket and turn it clock-wise until it sits firmly in the light socket.
• Switch on the mains switch on the distribution board or electricity dispenser and then switch the light on.
• Discard the old light bulb safely.

How do I deal with an electrical shock?

• The first thing to do is to switch off the electricity at the mains (everybody in the house should know where the main switchboard is).
• Hands must then be covered with dry rubber gloves or several layers of dry newspaper. There is great danger that the person helping the victim could also get a shock if he / she touches the victim's body before the plug has been switched off.
• If possible, switch off the electricity at the wall plug where the appliance causing the shock is plugged in, and unplug it.
• If the victim is in contact with the appliance causing the shock, he / she must be removed as quickly as possible.
• Pull the victim into the clear by getting hold of his / her dry loose clothing. You can also push the victim away by using a broomstick or a chair. Make sure that the broomstick is dry and that you are not touching any metal parts.
• Get someone to call a doctor or Ambulance Service immediately. If this is not possible, start giving first aid as follows:
• If the victim's breathing has stopped or is not normal, apply mouth-to-mouth breathing and massage the heart immediately.
• Treat any injuries that may have been caused by the victim falling. Do not smear ointment on any burn. Protect the burns from the air with sterilised bandages.
• Get any electrical accident victim to a hospital or doctor as soon as possible even if they say they are OK.

How can I be safe around my home?

Always conduct Routine Safety Inspections

Appliances needing repairs or replacement should be attended to immediately. Not doing so could result in an accident. In your home, breakages and excessive wear and tear on electrical equipment can occur frequently so you need to make regular inspections and take precautions to ensure your safety.

• Here are some general points to look for when making an inspection:
  • Breakages
  • Wear/deterioration
  • Signs of overheating
  • Missing parts (screws, covers, switches)
  • Faulty appliance controls
  • Doors and covers not closely smoothly or adequately.
  • Correct labelling when needed (eg. Electricity requirements)
  • Loose Fixtures or fittings

• It is also important to test your equipment regularly - switch it on and off and look for possible problems or faulty connections. Taking time to make sure you are using your equipment safely could save your life later on.

Safety with plugs and sockets

In this day and age, plugs are an essential part of our lives as we depend on electricity for almost everything we do. Therefore, it is important for people of all ages to know how to use plugs safely. The following tips are for you to use when buying and using plugs.

• Look for the SABS sign and only use SABS approved plugs.
• Do not overload plugs - rather use an adaptor.
• Do not pull a plug by the cord.
• Switch the switch off at the wall socket, before pulling the plug out.
• Do not connect electrical appliances to light sockets.
• Ensure that all wall sockets have their switches in the "off" mode, when not in use.
• Never put bare wires into sockets.
• Do not stick fingers into sockets.
• If there are babies in the house, ensure that wall sockets are covered with a safety cap, keeping the area safe for babies to play in.

Safety with cords

Cords, like plugs, are an essential part of our environment. Cords also represent a safety hazard and as such, the tips that follow should be used to minimise any potential dangers that cords can cause.

• Do not use frayed cords - replace worn and frayed cords on appliances immediately.
• Keep cords well away from hot stoves and other hot surfaces.
• Do not run electric cords under carpets and rugs.
• Do not join cords with tape.
• Do not run cords through hinges.
• Do not run cords where people can easily trip over them.
• Use SABS approved electrical wires or cords.

Electricity and Water

Since water is an excellent electricity conductor, it can cause electric shocks or short circuits very easily. The general rule is thus to keep water in and around the home, away from any electrical appliances and any wall sockets.

• Do not use electrical appliances in the bathroom.
• Never touch electrical appliances with wet hands.
• Never fill a kettle when it is plugged in.
• Never mow wet grass with an electric lawnmower.
• Never hold an electric appliance in one hand while touching metal objects such as taps, fridges or stoves with the other. This is because our bodies are made up of 70% of water and they thus become very good electricity conductors.
• Never use water to put out an electrical fire if the mains are not switched off. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher instead.

Electricity and Children

When babies start to crawl or walk, extra care has to be taken that they do not harm themselves. Children are naturally interested in cords and plugs and their curiosity could lead to serious accidents. Here is some advice on how to make sure that your children are safe.

• Children love playing with loose hanging wires. Make sure that the cords of your iron and kettle are not left hanging where a child can pull them, thereby causing a hot iron or kettle to fall down and burn the child.
• If you have turned a heater on, watch your child carefully so that he / she does not stick their fingers through the grill and touch the hot bars of the heater.
• Do not let children play with electrical cords - they can chew on a live wire.
• Teach children not to play with electrical sockets. Keep all unused plugs in the house covered with a safety plug. Babies love to stick their fingers into the plug holes.
• Teach your children not to fly kites near power lines.
• Do not allow children to release metallic balloons outside.
• Never allow children to climb electric poles.
• DO not play with children on or near an electrical installation.

Outside the home

There are a few situations outside the home that could be dangerous:

• When working with any electrical appliance, like power drills, make sure that they are connected properly. Never use them in damp or wet areas.
• Do not enter electrical sub-stations - the voltage is extremely high and very dangerous.
• Do not touch any electrical power lines. Under no circumstances should you ever go near them. All power lines are very dangerous.
• Do not make a fire underneath power lines.
• Never climb onto electric pylons.
• Do not play or build houses under power lines.
• Do not throw stones at insulators.
• Do not cut down trees next to power lines.
• Do not touch power lines that have fallen to the ground.
• Do not carry long objects under power lines.

Plugging in safely and correctly

• Overloading a plug can cause a fire. A multi-plug adaptor will allow you to use as many appliances as needed without the risk of overheating.
• Pulling a plug out by the cord can expose bare wires. Pull it out by gripping the plug itself and make sure the power is switched off.
• Broken plugs or loose wires are dangerous. Always use SABS approved plugs and make sure there are no loose wires.
• Putting electrical wires directly into a socket can cause accidents.
• It is dangerous to plug electrical appliances into light sockets. They should only be plugged into wall sockets.

Senior citizens safety around electricity

• If you are using an extension cord, never let it run under carpets or rugs - place it in a "no-trip" zone.
• If the plug you are using has a different number of pins to the electrical outlet, use an adapter that will accommodate both the plug and the outlet.
• To avoid an accident, keep heaters and fans a safe distance from your curtains and furniture - at least 3 feet away.
• Using the correct fuse is important. When you replace a blown fuse, make sure of its size as the wrong one could cause a fire.
• Electricity outlets and switches should always be cool to the touch - if the aren't call a technician to fix it for you and NEVER touch it yourself.
• Unplug any of your small appliances when you are not using them, eg. Toasters, irons, hairdryers.
• Do not use electric blankets with loose wires - they could cause a fire or shock. Do not tuck in or squeeze wires as this is also very dangerous.
• Turn your heating pad off before you go to sleep.
• Use the specified watt light bulb as indicated on the light fixture.
• In case of an accident and your clothes catch fire, don't panic - 'DROP' and 'ROLL'.

General Safety

• Never change a light bulb without first making sure that the electrical current is first switched off
• Do not use a for or knife or anything made of metal to remove toast from a toaster when it is plugged in
• If you see sparks or smoke from an electrical appliance, it is telling you that something is wrong. Unplug it and call an electritian. Do not work on an electrical appliance unless you know exactly what you are doing and make sure that it is not plugged in

How do I wire a plug?

• Bare the ends of the three wires inside the electrical cord for about half a centimeter, by cutting away the plastic insulation.
• Gently twist the strands of copper wire with your fingers until each strand is tight.
• Fold over the twisted strands.
• Remove the plug cover by either "snapping" or unscrewing it.
• Unscrew the little screws on each of the plug's pins.
• Insert the twisted copper wires into the holes in the pins.
• The green and yellow wire must always be inserted into the top pin.
• The blue wire is inserted into the left pin (the pin is marked with a blue spot or the letter N).
• The brown wire is inserted into the right pin (the pin is marked with a brown spot or the letter L)
• Tighten the little screw on each of the plug's pins.
• Make sure the electrical cord is firmly gripped by the arrestor clips.
• Replace the cover of the plug.

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