Commissioner for Electrical Safety – Keith McKenzie, talks winter safety

With the cooler temperatures creeping in, it’s time to check your electric heaters and blankets by making sure the cables are in good order prior to connecting them to wall outlets.

These appliances can draw a higher current when operating and ensuring you don’t overload your power points and circuits is important - plugging too many appliances into the same outlet or circuit may overload them.

It’s not safe practice to cover your room heaters with clothes or blankets, and you’ll want to check your heater is specifically marked for indoor or outdoor use - check the manufacturer's instructions for this information.

You may have read this and thought, “it makes real sense” – well, please take the time to share this message with your children, parents, grandparents, and in fact, anyone who’ll listen to this advice as the dangers are real.

Electrical incidents can be prevented by taking these steps, and this will help ensure the whole family stays safe this winter.

When purchasing electrical products, please look for the regulatory compliance mark (RCM).

Further information

Read more about buying and using electrical equipment.