Check your home for the following electrical hazards:

• frayed or worn electric cords
• appliance plugs "piggy backed" on a single switch
• radios, hairdryers, shavers, portable lamps or radiators used near showers, baths or swimming pools
• extension cords used instead of permanent outdoor wiring
• wet floors wherever electricity is used
• electrical appliances that blow fuses, overheat or spark heavily

The best way to reduce the risk of death from electric shock at home is to have a safety switch (RCD -- residual current device) fitted in your household fuse box.

If there is faulty or wet wiring or any electric current passes through a person, the safety switch cuts off the power within a fraction of a second. You can still get a shock with a safety switch, but the result is usually much less serious.

Think about the following strategies for dealing with electrical hazards in your home:

• Have an licensed electrical worker install a safety switch inside the house to replace your external fuse box. This has security advantages as well.
• Frayed and damaged cords and extensions should not be repaired with tape -- throw them out.
• Always switch off before unplugging an appliance. When unplugging, hold the plug, not the cord.
• Never leave appliances switched on when not in use.
• Ensure outdoor appliances cannot come into contact with pools or puddles of water.
• Always wear rubber sole shoes when using electricity in wet areas.
• Never touch appliances or switches with wet hands.
• Never fold or crumple an electric blanket. Never wash it or let it get wet.
• Call a licensed electrical worker for any repairs needed to switches, power points or light fittings.
• Send faulty appliances to be repaired, or throw them out. Don't attempt to repair them yourself unless you are qualified.
• Use plug-in covers to stop children poking things into power points.
• Unplug electrical appliances after use and put them where children can't reach them.
• REMEMBER: Telling people about an electrical hazard is not sufficient on its own. Somebody must take responsibility to reduce or eliminate it. If nothing else is going to work, you might have to get rid of the hazardous item altogether.