{"id":205760,"date":"2018-04-05T16:13:37","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T06:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=205760"},"modified":"2020-08-05T12:54:51","modified_gmt":"2020-08-05T02:54:51","slug":"safety-switch-campaign-relaunched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/04\/05\/safety-switch-campaign-relaunched\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Switch Campaign Relaunched"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A scene from the State Government’s revived advertising campaign to promote the benefits of installing more safety switches in homes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Acting Industrial Relations Minister Shannon Fentiman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 5, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government will re-run an advertising campaign encouraging Queenslanders to have safety switches installed on every circuit in their homes.<\/p>\n

The campaign comes ahead of tighter rules to be introduced later this year which will make safety switches compulsory on all circuits in new or substantially renovated homes. <\/strong><\/p>\n

On Thursday, acting Industrial Relations Minister Shannon Fentiman relaunched the campaign to stress that safety switches save lives.<\/p>\n

“Through this campaign, we\u2019re spreading the message that the risk is real \u2013 one safety switch may not be enough,” Ms Fentiman said.<\/p>\n

“In many Queensland homes, safety switches are only fitted to the power circuit.<\/p>\n

“This means you have no protection for your family on other sub-circuits in your home such as the lights, pool, air-con, stove or hot water.”<\/p>\n

Ms Fentiman said many homeowners often confuse circuit-breakers with safety switches, but only safety switches have a “Test” or “T” button on their face.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She said circuit-breakers are effective in protecting equipment, but only safety switches will save lives, and that was why they should be installed on all circuits.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s a small price to pay for the peace of mind you\u2019ll have \u2013 and you can make it very cost-effective by having switches installed while you\u2019re having other electrical work done at your home,” she said.<\/p>\n

The Electrical Safety Office will run \u2018The risk is real \u2013 one safety switch may not be enough\u2019 advertising during April on television, radio, print and online.<\/p>\n

In Queensland, safety switches are mandatory on power circuits in new homes, rentals and older homes as they\u2019re sold, but the risk still exists on other circuits.<\/p>\n

Legislative changes to the electrical industry\u2019s Wiring Rules later this year will tighten the requirements, requiring safety switch protection on all sub-circuits in new homes or homes undergoing significant renovation.<\/p>\n

More information about safety switches is available online<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n