Electricity is a basic commodity used by many for daily needs such as for cooking, heating and home appliances. However, it can also be destructive to property or even dangerous to lives if not properly handled. During winter seasons when temperatures are low and it is predominantly used as a heat energy source, many fall victims to its dangers, mainly those who are exposed to illegal connections.
An electrical connection is considered illegal when it is made from the source network without relevant permission, and safety procedures are seldom followed in these incidents. Doing this poses great risk as it overloads the system, which often causes the power connection to trip or fail and at worst case scenario, it can cause fire. In some extreme cases with high voltage electricity, it can result with death to the victim.
Illegal connections are usually made by unqualified electricians. Connections don’t have the required electrical protections. Wirings are running on makeshift poles; some lie exposed endangering unsuspecting children who become victims.
These type of connections are commonly referred to as ‘Izinyokanyoka’, due to the underhand manner in which the connections are made and the indiscriminate patterns they follow.
Substations in some instances, found themselves overloaded by illegal connections resulting with breakdowns, failing to supply the required energy as intended hence, load-shadings occurs.
The City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services` (DEMS), prerequisites are; “saving of lives and properties”. Several lives and properties have been lost already as a result of accidents and tampering with high voltage electricity. Charred bodies have been recovered from different scenes after they were fatally electrocuted by high voltage electricity from the pylons averaged at eighty-eight Kilovolts (88Kv) and rail mass poles lines averaged at three thousand Kilovolts (3 000 Kv).
Causes of electrocution accidents: 1. Downed high voltage power lines in the area of inhabitants and individuals trying to take matters in their own hands. 2. Unsafe and uncontrolled usage of electrically powered tools through unsafe acts and unsafe conditions. 3. Defective electrical appliances repaired by unqualified technician. 4. Over loading of circuits and non-functional circuit breaker, allowing the current to pass through. 5. Unprotected switches whereby children stick fingers in. 6. Unwitting touch or stepping on a carelessly laid (and totally unsafe) cables left by those who steal electricity more over in the informal settlement dwellings. 7. One of the most common ways is with tempering with overhead high voltage power lines. 8. When people try to connect electricity on their own, electrocution can occur. Sometimes, the culprit is a new unexperienced and unqualified person that wanted to do the wiring on their own (DIY).
Illegal connections are not safe as they are usually done by unqualified people who don’t only risk electrocuting themselves, but also expose other people to danger and the risk of injury and death if they make contact with the connection.
Not only is this dangerous for the individual making the connection, but it also puts the rest of the community at risk because these connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing by can easily be electrocuted.
An additional risk is that illegally connected wires can also make contact to items such as roofs, gutters, and washing lines, making these items live and able to conduct electricity.
Safety tips 1. Do not pull out plugs by the cord. This damages the cable and can lead to electrical wires being exposed. 2. Do not put bare electrical wires into sockets. 3. Do not touch any electrical appliances with wet hands. 4. Never use electricity in the bathroom; water and electricity are a dangerous combination. 5. Do not pass electric cords from one room to another through hinges of doors or windows where they can be squashed or damaged. 6. Do not overload plug points. 7. Never leave electrical appliances unattended while in use. 8. Switch off heaters, stoves, and kettles when no longer in use. 9. Ensure that you purchase electrical products from reputable companies, distributers, and retailers. 10. Be extreme cautious when pruning vegetations grown in between high-powered electrical lines. Isolate the power supply first before pruning. If your children like to go out and play outside next to the power lines, warn them about the following: 1. Avoid playing near power lines or substations. 2. Do not fly kites near power lines. If a kite gets stuck in a power line, do not try to retrieve it; you could be hurt. 3. Never climb trees or other structures near power lines.
Avoid connecting electricity illegally. Only authorised or qualified electricians may connect electricity when required.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS (011) 458- 0911: Life Threatening Ekurhuleni Emergency Line 10177 : National Toll-Free Number 112: Cell Phone
