Home Electrical Safety Tips for Darwin Households

Key Takeaways

• Leave electrical repairs to licensed electricians: that includes repairing appliances, not only fixing wiring.
• Keep water away from power: kitchens, bathrooms, pools and outdoor power points need extra care in Darwin.
• Test your safety switch regularly: press the T or TEST button and confirm it trips.
• Take extra care with festive lights: use outdoor-rated lights outside and check every set before you hang it.

Why Home Electrical Safety Tips Matter

Home electrical safety tips can feel like common sense, but accidents still happen. Master Electricians Australia has estimated that about 15 people die and up to 300 are hospitalised each year in home electrical accidents that a safety switch could prevent. That is an industry estimate, not an official count.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare looked at all electrical injuries, at home and at work, and found almost 1,100 hospitalised cases over two years from 2014-15 to 2015-16. Read the AIHW summary for the full detail.

What You Can Do and What to Leave to an Electrician

Many of us like to fix things ourselves, but electricity is not the place to experiment. The table shows where the line sits. When in doubt, stop and ask a licensed electrician before you start, because a quick phone call is far cheaper than a repair gone wrong.

Even if you unplug an appliance before working on it, you may not get the wiring right. That can leave you with a fire risk once it is plugged back in.

Keep Water and Electricity Apart

Water conducts electricity, and Darwin homes spend much of the year hot, humid and wet, with storms arriving fast during the build-up and the wet season. Be especially careful in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and around the pool.

• Do not leave toasters, blenders or kettles plugged in near sinks
• Follow the directions on appliances that use water, such as coffee machines
• Unplug hair dryers and curling irons after use and store them away from water
• Never use a power tool or extension lead with wet hands or on wet ground
• Keep pool equipment connections dry and covered

Test Your Safety Switch

A safety switch cuts the power when it detects current leaking to earth. NT WorkSafe advises checking your switchboard for a button marked T or TEST and testing it regularly. Here is the simple routine:

1. Find your switchboard and look for the safety switch.
2. Press the T or TEST button.
3. Confirm that the switch trips and the power goes off.
4. Switch it back on.
5. If it does not trip, or you cannot find one, call a licensed electrician.

Our guide to safety switch installation explains when protection is required and what is involved.

Childproof Your Home Early

Many electrical accidents involve children, so it pays to childproof before they start crawling. Small habits make a big difference, and they cost very little to put in place. Walk through each room at child height and look for anything within reach.

• Use safety covers on power points that are within reach
• Keep cords out of sight and out of reach, which also reduces trips
• Unplug phone chargers when they are not in use
• Teach children never to touch switches or appliances with wet hands
• Keep power boards off the floor in areas where children play

Take Care With Festive Lights and Decorations

Christmas is close, and many decorations are electrical. Lights that are poorly made or damaged can cause fires, so check them before you hang them.

• Use lights made for outdoor use when decorating outside, because indoor lights do not cope with sun and storms
• Inspect every set for loose wires, cracked sockets and worn spots
• Throw away damaged lights rather than trying to repair them
• Keep lights out of reach of small children
• Turn lights off overnight and when no one is home

Wet Season and Storm Precautions in the Top End

Storms and heavy rain bring extra risks. Water can find its way into outdoor power points, light fittings and pool equipment, and a lightning strike can damage appliances.

Before and after a storm, walk around the property and check outdoor fittings, extension leads and pool equipment. Avoid touching anything that has been wet. If something smells burnt, trips the power or looks scorched, switch it off if it is safe to do so and call us.

Know When to Call an Electrician

Some warning signs should never be ignored. Our guide to the 7 signs you need to call an electrician immediately covers them in detail. Call us straight away if you notice:

• A burning smell or scorch marks near a power point or switch
• Lights that flicker or dim without an obvious reason
• A safety switch or circuit breaker that keeps tripping
• A tingle or shock when you touch an appliance

For a full check of your wiring and safety devices, book an electrical safety inspection. We generally arrive onsite within one hour of your call in Darwin and Palmerston. Our fire safety and smoke alarm service can also check that your alarms are ready for the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix a faulty appliance myself?

No. Any task that involves touching wires should be done by a licensed electrician, and that includes repairing appliances. Unplugging first is not enough, because incorrect wiring can cause a fire once the appliance is back in use. Unplug the appliance, leave it switched off and call a professional.

How often should I test my safety switch?

NT WorkSafe advises testing your safety switch regularly using the T or TEST button on your switchboard. Choose a regular date, such as when you check your smoke alarms, so the test becomes part of your routine. If the switch does not trip when you press the button, or you cannot find one, contact a licensed electrician.

Are outdoor Christmas lights different to indoor lights?

Yes. Lights made for outdoor use are built to cope with sun, rain and wind, while indoor lights wear down quickly outside and can become a fire or electrocution risk. Always check the packaging, inspect every set for damage before use and replace any lights that are worn or loose.

What should I do if a power point is wet after a storm?

Do not touch it or plug anything in. If it is safe to reach the switchboard, turn off the circuit and leave it off. Keep children and pets away, then call a licensed electrician to test the power point and the circuit before you use them again.

Keep Your Family Safe With Licensed Darwin Electricians

Not sure if something at home is safe? Our licensed electricians will check it, explain the fix and keep your household protected. Request a booking or call (08) 8983 3000.