One of Eskom’s biggest priorities is to educate the public about the dangers associated with the unsafe use of electricity. By always shining the spotlight on these incidents and warning the public, we aim to reduce the number of injuries and deaths in support of our ‘Zero Harm’ policy.

It is unsafe to place/run electrical cables and extension cords on the floor or under carpets. Electrical cables are supposed to be out of reach of people or animals as constant contact with them will make them a fire threat and cause harm to people who might trip over them. It is better to get your local qualified electrician to install a plug point closer to the appliance so there isn’t a need for an extension cord.

Running cables under carpets is also dangerous as you are not able to see if the cord is damaged. Should the cord be damaged, it could create a fire as carpets are made of materials which could easily catch fire. If you have a need for an extension cord before the electrician comes to install a plug point, don’t run it under carpets  Rather run the cabling over the carpet (and preferably along a wall) and secure it with tape to prevent tripping.

Eskom would like to remind all South Africans that, although electricity is an essential part of life, it can be dangerous if not used correctly. It is always advisable to get a qualified electrician to do any electrical connections or repairs. Only authorised Eskom employees and contractors are permitted to work on all Eskom structures.

Issued by Eskom