Electrical safety
Electrical safety
If the situation is life-threatening, such as a powerline on the ground or another threat to public safety from damaged infrastructure, please contact us immediately on our emergency line 1800 245 090 or call 000.
We want to help you stay safe at home and at work
One power point, one plug
A stack of plugs on double adaptors is unsafe. A surge protected power board with each cable labelled or having an additional power point installed by a Northern Territory licenced electrician, is much better.
Appliances
Read the instructions that come with your appliances whether it's electronic entertainment equipment, household appliances or power tools in the workshop - before you start using it.
If in doubt about an existing appliance, or if it requires adjusting or cleaning, switch it off at the power point and pull out the plug. Always pull it out by the plug, not the cord.
Safety switches
If you work with power tools, consider installing a safety switch designed to protect people from the most common cause of electrocution - 'current earthing' through the body. Safety switches usually cut out within 1/37th of a second, fast enough to prevent electrocution in most cases. An electrical contractor can help you.
Care for your cords
Unplug your appliance if the cord is frayed, smoke or odd smells are coming from it, or a storm is approaching.
Fix all broken plugs and damaged cords, they’re dangerous. Don’t use tape to repair cords, have them replaced.
Think of the children
Ensure that plugs and cords aren’t hanging where children can pull them out. Ensure there are no electrical wires where children play and put safety plugs into unused power points.
Bring in a professional
Use a licensed contractor for all electrical, plumbing and maintenance work. If you are working near power lines, phone Power and Water first. Painting trestles, aluminium ladders and metal scaffolding can all be electrical hazards.
A Northern Territory licensed electrician must carry out all the work on installations at your property. Be sure to ask for your copy of the installation test certificate as this is your guarantee that work was carried out to the required standard.
Know your switchboard
Know where the switchboard for your premises is and how to turn the power supply off in case of an emergency.
Check that each switch, circuit breaker and fuse is correctly labelled. Call an electrical contractor if you’re not sure.
Overhead powerlines
Never play near power lines. If something gets caught in overhead wires, phone Power and Water. Call us before removing vegetation around power lines and keep all structures and vehicles clear of lines at or over your property.
