Electrical Safety
Cultivate and practice safe habits when using electricity. Be observant. Stay alert. Take necessary precautions.
Below are some important safety guidelines to follow in the use of electricity so that you can enjoy all its benefits and stay away from danger.
Check your RCCB regularly
Formerly known as Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker or ELCB, the residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) is a safety device available in all households and buildings. The RCCB helps prevent electric shock by cutting off electricity supply immediately upon detecting any current leakage in an electrical circuit.
Ensure you have a RCCB installed in your premises and check once a month that it is in good working condition by pressing the test button.
Engage only a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)
Engage only licensed electrical workers to carry out any electrical installation, maintenance and repair work. These include new wiring, rewiring and extensions which have to also be tested by an authorised officer of SP Services Ltd before supply is turned on.
Always verify whether the person you engage is an EMA-licensed worker before allowing the person to carry out any electrical work in your premises.
To check whether a person is an LEW, call telephone number 6835-8075 or check online.
Keep electricity and water apart!
Do not use electrical appliances near water or with wet hands; nor should you touch an open electricity outlet or electrical switch with wet hands. This can lead to current leakage and potentially-fatal electric shocks.
Do not overload power points
Overloading power points is dangerous as it may lead to current leakage. So do not 'piggy back' multiple plugs into one socket by using double adaptors.
Don’t use cracked or broken power points/ extension socket outlets Replace cracked or broken power points/ sockets immediately with the help of a licensed electrical worker to prevent current leakage.
Check the Earth wire
An unearthed plug can cause electric shock when there is a short circuit in an appliance.
Take the following precautions with electrical cords
- Replace electrical cords with broken or frayed insulation
Do not join cut or frayed electrical cords together with insulation tape as this may peel off after a while and leave wires exposed. Get a licensed electrical worker to replace the cord with a new one instead. - Do not run wires around sharp edges
Running wires around sharp edges can cut their insulation and expose live wires which are dangerous. - Store electrical cords securely
When not using an electrical appliance, switch it off and store the electrical cord carefully to avoid damage.