According to findings published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation approximately 15 Australians are killed and over 300 hospitalised ever single year due to electrical accidents in the home. Many of these could have been prevented by the simple installation of safety switches. Whilst it is a requirement for safety switches to be fitted in new-build homes, many old-style homes don’t have any and this equates to around 40% of all housing throughout the country. Although Queensland state does have rudimentary requirements for safety switches, many people suggest that the government aren’t doing enough to protect their citizens and need to take stronger preventative measures.

So what exactly is a safety switch and how does it help?
In essence a safety switch is a device that can immediately detect when there is an electricity leak and will cut the flow at source immediately. This could be when a person has accidentally made contact with the current or there is a perceived threat of leakage. Potentially this simple device could and does save lives.

How many should I ideally have installed in my property?
The majority of people have them installed, on the main power circuits only. While this is a start it doesn’t guarantee total protection. Ideally to ensure a higher degree of safety then switches should be installed at every single circuit point throughout your property. This includes circuits that control stoves, lights and hot water.

How do I go about getting safety switches installed?
A good electrician will be able to install them for you. They will also be able to advise you of the best places to locate them. The good news is that they are inexpensive to buy. However, the price of the job will vary due to the size of the house, the number of switches to be installed and of course, the fee of the electrician or company carrying out the job.

How do I know if it’s working or not?
The answer is to carry out a quick test. Although safety switches come in different designs and models, they will all have a ‘test’ button that you can press. If it’s working it should immediately trip the electrical circuit that it’s connected to. The switch then just needs to be reset. If it appears not to be working, then contact a skilled electrician who can either repair the existing switch or replace it for a new one. As for the frequency of testing a quick test once a month should be more than sufficient to give you total peace-of-mind.

Here at SGS Electrical if you need any information on safety switches or if you need further advice on installation then let us find the right electrician for you. Contact us on 0420 705 482 or visit our website at www.sungodssolar.com.au for a quick response.