ELECTRICITY IS SAFE

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1787, 27 July 1926, Page 7

ELECTRICITY IS SAFE

Electricity is safe—if these few simple rules are observed:— If a fuse blows out you are either overloading your wiring system or you have a defective appliance connected with your outlets. The trouble is not corrected by increasing th-i size of the fuse which is the electrical safety valve. Use not larger than 15 ampere fuses for your house- circuits (on 230 volts this should be 5 amperes for lighting and 10 ampere for heating). Have all appliance cords repaired or replaced when they become worn or ravelled. Do not attempt to install additional wires in your home. Your best insurance against fire is to have such wiring done properly with the right material by experienced electricians. Wires must not be tacked to walls or base boards with staples. Connected extension cords hung on nails very often cause serious fires, since the weight of the wires after a time wears the insulation away from, the wires, thus causing a short circuit and blowing the fuse. Do not move or handle electrical appliances while your body is in contact with water,piping'or grounded metal. (This is also provided for in the regulations). Always keep electrical heating devices away from combustible materials. Provide an approved metal stand for the iron and use it, whether the current is on o r off. (Irons used here are provided with stands on the end so that they can be tipped on end. This is quite sufficient for general use, but not if the iron is left on for any length of time without attention). Do not leave small children in charge of portable heating devices that are in operation. They may turn them over on your newspaper, curtain or rugs, with serious consequences.

Lights in clothes closets should never be left burning when the door is closed. The light socket must be well isolated from any inflammable material. -Never use irons, toasters, or other similar heating devices, to warm the bed. There are numerous approved electric heating devices tor this purpose. Keep cords to portable lamps in view : and away from rockers and the like! You encourage trouble when they are placed under the rugs. If the standard length cord that comes with your device does not reach your present convenience outlet, you need an-

other outlet placed where you can easily and safely plug in the cord (a longer cord is permissible in many cases). Electricity is your most faithful servant, and is safe to use of only such simple precautions are observed.