NSW Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge today warned people affected by floods to have their electrical goods tested by a licensed electrician before attempting to re-use them. Ms Judge said if a house, property or business has been affected by floodwaters, electrical equipment, wiring and appliances may have been damaged.

“Using water-damaged equipment can result in electric shocks and fires,” she said.

“NSW Fair Trading recommends disposing of water-affected household electrical items, such as kettles and toasters, rather than taking the risk of an accident occurring.

Dispose of water-affected appliances and cords appropriately – render them unusable by twisting off the pins from the plug. Do not cut the plug from the cord, as this would present an unsafe situation if someone plugged the top into a power point.

Ms Judge said residents and businesses should get a licensed electrical contractor to check all water-affected electrical wiring and equipment, such as air-conditioning units, water pumps and generators, that are intended for re-use.

“Ensure any tradespeople you deal with during the recovery process are appropriately qualified and licensed to do the contracted work,” she said.

Check trade licenses on the NSW Fair Trading website or call 13 32 20.

People using portable generators after a network power failure should be aware that power from generators can be dangerous if used incorrectly.
Important points include:

• Do not connect the generator to a house electrical wiring unless a proper generator changeover switch and appropriate socket have already been installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
• Do not connect a generator to a house using a power point on a power circuit or any other connection point. This is illegal and dangerous and could energise the powerlines and cause an electric shock to anyone coming into contact with them.
• Plugging the generator into a house circuit could cause the generator to fail and cause a fire, or damage the generator and circuits.
• Ensure all leads used to connect your generator are in good working condition, i.e. no damage to plugs or lead and no exposed wires.
• Be aware of risks, including electrocution and poisoning or suffocation from carbon monoxide exhaust gases.
• Always run any generator outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Don't exceed the generator's load rating and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

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