April 5, 2017
The Queensland Government will launch a four week campaign to urge people to install more safety switches in their homes.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace launched the ‘One safety switch may not be enough’ campaign on Wednesday, which encourages Queenslanders to install safety switches on every circuit.
“Safety switches save lives – it’s that simple,” Ms Grace said.
“Unlike circuit breakers which protect equipment, safety switches help protect us, our family and anyone visiting our home from potentially fatal electric shock.
“Safety switches turn off the power in a fraction of a second when leakage of current is detected.
“This can happen if there’s a faulty power point or electrical appliance, or you accidentally hit a live cable while drilling a wall or gardening.
“Without a safety switch protecting you on that circuit, you and your family are potentially at risk.”
Safety switches have been a mandatory requirement for power and lighting circuits in new homes, rentals and older homes as they’re sold for a few years now.
But the risk is still there on other circuits.
“A safety switch can only protect you if it’s fitted to the circuit that’s been damaged, whether it’s for air conditioning, the stove, hot water, or the pool,” Ms Grace said.
“And that’s the reason we are launching this campaign – to get the message out that one safety switch may not be enough.”
Six deaths in Queensland homes over recent years could have been prevented if safety switches had been fitted to all circuits.
Ms Grace said she encouraged Queenslanders to get their electrician to put in some extra safety switches the next time they got electrical work done.
“They aren’t expensive, and if the sparkie is already out at your place, you won’t pay an additional call out fee.
“It’s well worth it for the added protection for you and your family.”
The online and social media campaign includes a Facebook competition and free advice from electrical safety experts.
More details are available on the Worksafe website
