Electrocution: For a safer home, follow these steps

The human body has been identified to be an excellent conductor of electricity. While there are many causes of electrical injuries, there are things people can do to prevent electrical injuries and electrocution (death by electricity) at home.

According to the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), while electricity is important, it can also be very hazardous, resulting in shocks, burns, fires or explosions and electrocutions (death by electrical shock).

It is important to be very careful around electrically powered machinery, tools and appliances.

Here are five major things you should ‘do’ and those you should ‘not do’ to guarantee safe electricity utilisation at home and at work place.

Do these:

- Check your sockets regularly. If you see burn marks or they feel hot, get a registered electrician to check them

- Teach children not to insert anything into the openings of an electrical outlet.

- Turn off and unplug TVs, radios, and computers during a thunderstorm and rain.

- Turn off any electrical equipment you are not using especially at night, when a fire can spread quickly while you sleep

- Always watch out for frayed, damaged or rat torn power cords and cables and replace them promptly. Do not attempt to tie or mend them yourself.

Don’t do these:

- Don’t Overload any adaptor or socket, especially with appliances that have a high electrical current such as kettles, irons or heaters.

- Don’t Touch plugs, switches appliances with wet hands.

- Don’t Use wet appliance until it has been checked by a qualified repair person.

- Don’t lay cords anyplace where they can be walked on or run over.

- Never overload an electrical outlet. Also, make sure all outlets are cool to the touch. A warm or hot outlet may indicate a wiring problem. or

Re: Capital adequacy: Union Bank, 3 others may not pay dividend