The school holidays are nearly here, which means Queensland children will soon be spending considerably more time at home.
There will be more devices charging, more appliances being used, more activity around the kitchen and more children moving between indoor and outdoor areas throughout the day.
School holidays do not suddenly create electrical faults. However, they can give existing faults more opportunities to affect someone.
That makes the weeks before the holidays a sensible time to look around your home and deal with the loose power point, damaged charger, overloaded powerboard or unreliable safety switch you have been meaning to investigate.
Why Queensland Is Teaching Children About Electrical Safety
The Queensland Electrical Safety Office has made educating children about electricity an important part of its public safety work, including resources for schools, families and its partnership with The Wiggles.
There is a good reason for that focus. Electricity is invisible, and younger children may not recognise that a damaged cable, exposed power point or appliance near water could be dangerous.
Queensland Government data previously identified 50 episodes of admitted hospital care involving children aged 12 or younger following exposure to electric current between January 2018 and December 2020. Most involved electrical burns, particularly to the hands and wrists.
Teaching children not to touch damaged electrical equipment is important. Making sure that equipment is not damaged or accessible in the first place is even better.
Why School Holidays Change the Risk Around the Home
Electrical demand across the entire Energex network does not necessarily increase during school holidays. Schools and some businesses use less electricity, while many families travel away.
Inside an occupied home, however, electricity may be used differently.
Children may spend more time gaming, watching television, charging devices, preparing food, using outdoor equipment or visiting friends’ homes. Appliances and outlets that were previously used for a few hours each evening may be used throughout the day.
The concern is not simply how much power the household consumes. It is whether the equipment, wiring and safety systems being used are in good condition.
1. Look for Damaged or Overheating Power Points
Walk through the main areas where children will spend time and inspect the visible condition of your power points and switches.
Warning signs can include:
- Cracks or broken faceplates
- Loose power points that move when a plug is inserted
- Brown marks or discolouration
- A hot or unusually warm outlet
- Buzzing, crackling or humming sounds
- Sparks when equipment is connected
- Plugs that no longer sit securely
Do not remove the power point or attempt to repair internal wiring yourself. Damaged or loose outlets should be inspected and replaced by a licensed electrician.
2. Check Chargers, Cables and Frequently Used Devices
Device chargers tend to multiply around a family home. Phones, tablets, gaming controllers, laptops, headphones and portable speakers can all compete for the same outlets.
Inspect charging cables for splitting, exposed wires, damaged plugs or loose connections. Stop using any charger that becomes excessively hot, makes unusual noises or only works when the cable is held at a particular angle.
Chargers should be used in a ventilated area rather than buried under bedding, cushions or clothing. Children should also understand that a damaged charging cable is not something to keep using until it completely stops working.
3. Do Not Turn One Outlet Into an Electrical Octopus
A shortage of conveniently located power points often leads families to rely on double adaptors, multiple powerboards and extension leads.
Powerboards should never be connected to other powerboards. High-demand appliances should generally be connected directly to a suitable wall outlet rather than sharing a crowded board with numerous other devices.
Look for powerboards that are damaged, discoloured, covered in dust or positioned where air cannot circulate around them.
If one area of the home permanently needs several adaptors and extension leads, the safer long-term solution may be to have additional power points professionally installed.
4. Find Out Which Circuits Have Safety-Switch Protection
A circuit breaker and a safety switch are not the same thing.
Circuit breakers are primarily intended to protect electrical wiring and equipment from excessive current. Safety switches are designed to protect people by quickly disconnecting power when they detect current leaking through an unsafe path.
The Queensland Electrical Safety Office warns that one safety switch may not be enough. A home can have safety-switch protection on its power-point circuit while lighting, air conditioning, hot water, cooking or pool equipment remains unprotected.
Safety switches can usually be identified by a button marked “T” or “Test” on the switchboard. The Electrical Safety Office recommends testing each safety switch every three months.
Before conducting a test, warn everyone in the home that the power will be interrupted. If a safety switch does not move immediately to the off position when tested, or you are unsure which circuits it protects, contact a licensed electrician.
5. Pay Particular Attention to Electricity Near Water
School holidays often mean more time around pools, outdoor play areas, bathrooms and kitchens.
Keep portable electrical appliances, chargers and extension leads away from sinks, wet benches, pools and other areas where they may be exposed to water.
Outdoor electrical equipment should be suitable for outdoor use and connected through appropriate weather-protected outlets. An indoor powerboard or extension lead should not become a permanent outdoor power supply.
If an outdoor outlet is damaged, will not close properly or shows signs of moisture or corrosion, stop using it and arrange an inspection.
6. Take Repeated Tripping Seriously
A safety switch or circuit breaker that repeatedly trips is communicating that something may be wrong.
The cause could be a faulty appliance, damaged cable, moisture, overloaded circuit or problem within the electrical installation. Continually resetting the switch without identifying the cause does not resolve the fault.
Take note of which appliances were operating and which part of the home lost power. This information can help an electrician locate the problem more efficiently.
7. Check the Home’s Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms should be tested regularly and kept clean according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Queensland homes must also be moving towards the final smoke alarm compliance deadline. From 1 January 2027, existing private homes, townhouses, units and manufactured homes must have compliant interconnected photoelectric smoke alarms installed in the required locations.
If you are already arranging electrical work before the school holidays, it is worth asking whether your current smoke alarm system meets the incoming requirements.
Make Electrical Safety Part of the Holiday Conversation
Children do not need to understand electrical theory. They should understand a few simple rules:
- Do not touch damaged cords, plugs or power points
- Keep electrical devices away from water
- Never insert objects into a power point
- Tell an adult if something sparks, buzzes, smells hot or gives a shock
- Do not attempt to retrieve items from substations or near powerlines
Children should never be told that a small shock is normal. Any shock or tingling sensation from an appliance, tap, power point or other electrical equipment should be treated seriously.
Fix the Warning Signs Before the Holidays Begin
You do not need to completely rewire your home because the school holidays are approaching.
The goal is to identify the warning signs that are already present and deal with them before the house becomes busier.
If a power point is loose, a switch is buzzing, a charger is overheating, a safety switch will not trip or your family is permanently relying on a collection of powerboards, arrange an inspection rather than waiting for the problem to become worse.
Power Bolt Electrical provides residential electrical inspections, repairs, power-point installation, safety-switch upgrades, switchboard work and smoke alarm services throughout North Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
Contact Power Bolt Electrical on 0403 653 153 to address electrical problems before the Queensland school holidays begin.