Outdoor safety tips
Safety around electricity is also important outside the home.
Staying safe around your home
Staying safe around your home is important, always remember to Dial before you dig by calling 1100 to find out if there are underground powerlines or other assets in the area before you dig any holes. Always follow the safe work guidelines provided by the local utility. It could save your life.
When painting eaves, replacing or cleaning gutters, avoid getting close to the electrical wires that connect your home to the power poles. Always look out for overhead powerlines when using ladders or carrying other tall objects.
If the job requires close proximity to a powerline, be sure call Energex on 13 12 53 for safety advice.
To keep your family and friends safe, follow these simple tips:
- Don't use electrical cords or appliances near the pool.
- Always remember to Look up and Live when working around the home.
- Don't play with kites or planes near overhead powerlines. Fly planes and kites in a big open space like a park or an oval where there are no powerlines.Call Energex (or your local electricity supplier) if a kite or plane does get caught in powerlines.
- Don't trim trees near powerlines. Call Energex (or your local electricity supplier) to come and trim the tree.
- When carrying long metal objects such as ladders or swimming pool skimmers, watch out for electric wires running overhead.
- Never attach swings, clothes lines, hanging baskets or the like around beams which have electrical wires attached.
- Contact Dial Before You Dig before undertaking any excavation around your home. You can register online at www.1100.com.au, alternatively call 1100 to determine the location of underground services before you begin any excavation.
- Stay safe when you’re using lighting decorations during the festive season. Find out more.
Don't do it yourself
You or a family member could be seriously injured or killed if you undertake specialist tasks, such as:
- replacing or rewiring a plug, switch or power point
- repairing electrical appliances (e.g., irons, toasters, washing machines, etc.)
- installing or altering fixed electrical wiring
- Don't do it yourself. It is important to engage a licensed electrician when performing any electrical works, except for these simple jobs, which you can do yourself:
- changing an electric light bulb
- changing the starter in a fluorescent light fitting
- replacing a fuse
- resetting a circuit breaker or safety switch
When doing any of the above work, be careful.
Ensure the electricity is turned off (except when resetting a circuit breaker or safety switch where power needs to remain on) and take due care.
Solar Power
People with solar panels on their roofs should be aware that in the event that electricity supply is disconnected from their home, the panels may still be generating electricity at a dangerous voltage and present an electrical risk. If you believe any part of the solar power system has been damaged by events such as storms or floods, you need to stay well away from the system until a licensed electrical contractor has been able to attend and make the system safe.
The Electrical Safety Office has provided additional information on Electrical safety when working around grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and Working on roofs and in ceiling spaces.
Private generators
If you are going to install a generator, you must ensure it is kept in a well ventilated area.
Do not overload your powerpoints or connect the generator to your home wiring unless installed by a licensed electrician.
The Electrical Safety Office has provided additional information on portable generator safety.
Private property poles
Visit our Property poles page for more information on property poles and the responsibility of home or property owners.
What to do in an emergency
In the event on an emergency, it is important to know what to do. Find out more.
Fact Sheets
- Look up and live - Stay safe around powerlines (PDF 124.9 kb)
- Look up and live - Working near powerlines (PDF 124.7 kb)
- Look up and live - Recreation around electricity (PDF 126.4 kb)
- Dial before you dig - Working near power cables (PDF 201.5 kb)
- Community Safety Plan
- Health and Safety Policy (PDF 161.8 kb)
Contact us
Phone:
13 12 53
Disclaimer
This is not an exhaustive list of all safety matters that need to be considered. Whilst care is taken in the preparation of this material, Energex does not guarantee, to the extend permitted by law, the accuracy and completeness of information.
To the extend permitted by law, Energex will not be responsible for any loss, damage or costs incurred as a result of any errors omissions or misrepresentations in relation to the material in this document or for any possible actions ensuing from information contained above.
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