Electricity

Electricity can be dangerous

Watch out for these danger signs

Natural electricity

Electricity is passed across the countryside by pylons...

...and passes into our homes through sockets

Electricity is a form of energy. A very powerful energy. Although it works very hard for us and is very useful we must always be very careful. Sometimes we forget that electricity is all around us and this can be dangerous. As firefighters, it is very important that we understand all about electricity.

Although very powerful, electricity can be used safely by using insulators. Insulators are things that electricity cannot pass through or over, such as wax, rubber, plastic or glass. That is why electric cables and wires are always coated with a rubber or plastic lining to protect us.

However, there are other things that electricity can pass through or over very easily such as, metal, water and all living things. These are called Conductors. Conductors are very useful to us if used properly, such as wires or cables that allow electricity to pass through them, but conductors can also be very dangerous. As water is a very good conductor we must never allow it to come into contact with any electrical pieces of equipment, nor should we ever handle any plugs or touch switches while our hands are wet. We must always remember that as living things, we are also conductors, and so electricity will pass easily through or over us and might give us a shock or perhaps burn us.

There are two types of electricity. There is natural electricity and there is artificial electricity. Nature can produce its own electricity such as lightening during storms while artificial electricity is made in large power stations using generators. This electricity will travel a long way before it arrives in our homes.

Firstly, the electricity is passed across the countryside along pylon lines to smaller power stations closer to our homes called sub-stations. Then the electricity is passed along cables to our schools, shops and factories. These cables are usually buried beneath our roads and pavements but sometimes can been seen above the ground hanging from tall telegraph poles running alongside the roads. The electricity then passes into our homes through sockets. We usually have two or three sockets in each of our rooms. These are very important electrical points and young people should never be allowed to play near them as they may hurt themselves. Into the socket we place a plug. Connected to the plug are wires that will carry the electricity on the final stage of its journey to an appliance such as a cooker, a radio or a lamp.

Safety Rules for Plugs

There are a number of very important rules we should follow
when using a plug.

* Never overload a socket – one plug to one socket.

* Never pull out a plug from a socket using the wires. Always hold the plug to remove it.

* Never force a plug into a socket. If it doesn’t fit easily it may be broken.

* Never run wires across an open space such as a doorway. People may trip over the wiring and damage the plug or socket.

* Never place wires near heat, occasionally check the wiring for damage. It has been known for pets to chew through to the bare wires.

Safety Rules for Electricity outside

As electricity is found all around us we should always be very aware of the dangers and know how to avoid them.

* We should never play near pylon lines in the countryside and especially never play with kites near overhead wires. If the kite were to get tangled up we could find ourselves in grave danger.

* Sometimes during bad weather electrical lines may fall from the pylons or the telegraph poles. Remember never approach them. Electricity can jump from one conductor to another so keep your distance and call for help.

* During storms, especially when there is thunder and lightening, never shelter under trees or go swimming. Remember all living things such as trees and human beings are conductors.

* Always keep clear of electric sub-stations near our homes and never play near trees that have electric lines passing through them. Quite simply, when we are outside, we must remember to look up and look out and to keep in mind that electricity can be below or above us.

Finally, it is most important to understand what conductors and insulators are and how they can help or protect us. And remember, if you are ever in doubt, call for help.

Electricity is a very powerful friend but we must understand how it works and we must always treat it with respect.