To avoid accidents with electricity in the home, general safety instructions should be observed.

 

Most of our everyday life relies on electricity. Lights, kitchen appliances and consumer electronics all require electricity. Whilst electricity undoubtedly makes our lives better and easier, carelessness with electricity can lead to injury and even death.

Electrical appliances. Always observe and follow the instructions and safety information in the accompanying manual for all electrical appliances in the home or when carrying out DIY work. Never use an appliance for anything other than its original purpose.

Bathroom. Do not use any electrical appliances, including battery-powered ones, in the bath. Keep electrical appliances away from the bathtub and away from contact with water.

Light bulbs. Always use the correct wattage. Light bulbs that are too powerful can scorch a socket if they overheat. When screwing in a light bulb, make sure that the socket is disconnected from the mains. If available, pull out the mains plug, otherwise switch off the safety lever. Screw in the bulb sufficiently tightly, as loose bulbs can cause short circuits or sparks.

Sockets and power cables. Do not overload sockets with too many extension cables. Fit a child safety lock to a socket outlet that is not in use. Check power cables regularly for cracks. Do not pull on the cable when pulling out a plug.

Fire and electric shock. You should familiarise yourself with the position of the safety levers so that you can switch them off in an emergency. Never directly touch a person who has been electrocuted. In the event of fire caused by a short circuit or flying sparks and in the event of an electric shock, call the emergency services (112) immediately.

Heating and lampshades. Do not place radiators too close to flammable objects. Do not hang items of clothing over a radiator or lampshade. This can lead to heat build-up, which can result in a scorching fire.

Power lines. When working on power lines, use ladders and footwear made of non-conductive material. Trim trees that are close to a power line sufficiently to prevent branches from falling onto the line in strong winds.

Short circuit and electrical fire. Never attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water. In the event of a short circuit, switch off the fuse levers immediately. In an emergency, do not hesitate to call the fire brigade (112).