Electricity

• Ensure your electrical installation and equipment is in safe working order.
• If you are in any doubt about the condition of an electrical appliance, take it out of use immediately and either arrange repair of the item by a competent person, or dispose of the item.
• Ensure that the electrical appliance and the electric socket are both switched off prior to plugging in.
• Keep electrical items away from sources of water. Never handle electrical equipment with wet hands.
• Do not fill kettles or irons with water without unplugging them first.
• Visually check electrical appliance prior to use for damage to the item, damaged or scorched mains cable and plug, cracked plug casing and loose or protruding wires from the plug.
• Do not overload sockets. Use a multiple gang extension block if necessary. Adaptor sockets are not recommended. Extension blocks should not be plugged into one another to create a daisy chain.
• Ensure there are no trailing cables which could cause a trip hazard.
• Use a Residual Current Device (RCD) (circuit breaker), when using electrical hand tools or outdoor electrical equipment such as lawn mowers and strimmers.
• If a fuse activates in the fuse board and the fault cannot be identified, ask a qualified electrician to check the electrical installation.
• Switch off and unplug all non-essential electrical devices that are not in constant use.
• Carers are advised that when using a child appealing night light plug socket that a risk assessment should be undertaken. This is because for some children the use of such a night light may attract them to tamper with the plug socket.
• Ensure all electrical appliances are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Check for signs of wear and tear e.g. fraying fabric, scorch marks, worn flex or loose connections and do not use if any of these defects are present. Do not use if in any doubt.