With heavy rainfall across the states in Nigeria during rainy season, Electricity consumers should be more cautious of the danger of electrical hazards.

The rainy season, a period which is marked by increased rainfall, thunderstorms, high winds and flood, often results in an escalation of electricity induced disasters and accidents.

As we all know from basic science, water is a good conductor of electricity and it is important (especially during the rainy season) to pay more attention to safety when dealing with electrical appliances this season.

Here Are Some Electricity Safety Tips During Rainy Season

1. Avoid Standing Under Power lines or Close to Electric Pole During a Storm:
It is advised that you stay at least 10 feet away from the line and anything making contact with it. The human body is a ready conductor of electricity and could be easily electrocuted.

To be safe and protected from the possible electric shock and to minimize the risk, it is important concerned persons stay away from making contact with electrical conductors, keep both foot together and on the ground at all times. Electricity always moves from a high voltage zone to a low voltage zone—and it could do that through your body.

2. Avoid Flooded Areas:
It is advised that you stay indoor in the event of a rain storm with potential of flooding, but if you have to go out, it would be wise to avoid flooded areas. Especially flooded areas close to active/powered electrical equipment.

3. Do Not leave Cut Wires Un-Attended To:
If you have wires on the floor or lying on the road in your area, it will be wise to either get an Electricity Distribution Company official to reconnect or safely tuck away the wires in the event of a rainstorm. The wires could pose huge electrocution risk to the environment if they come in contact with any conducting material including water as long as the wires are carrying electrical power as at the time of the incident.

Do Not Attempt Outdoor Electrical Chores During Rainfall:
You shouldn’t even attempt electrical chores at all if you are not a trained engineer, but if you have to, avoid doing this under the rain. Checking fuses should be left for periods where there is no possibility of moisture interfering with your work. Also, avoid high altitude during rainfall, as that presents a real danger of lighting or thunder strike, so climbing poles during a rainstorm is an absolute BAD IDEA.

4. Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Grounded/Earthed:
Earthing or Grounding involves connecting the metallic parts of electric machinery/equipment and devices to the earth plate or earth electrode (which is buried in the moisture earth) through a thick conductor wire (which has very low resistance) for safety purpose of minimizing electrocution. It is important that all houses are properly grounded to avoid lighting strikes which are very common during the rainy season. This is done to ensure that any exposed part of electrical equipment/devices that inadvertently make contact with current carrying line (live) of such equipment doesn’t result to shocks or electrocute as such current surge flows directly to earth through the earthed line.

5. Be Very Careful of Water:
Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or bare feet, always apply caution when operating electrical appliances near water sources and all appliances must be discarded immediately if they have been immersed in water.

6. Switch Off or Disconnect Power Source During Rainstorm or Flooding: Switching off active power source(s) during rainstorm or flooding will reduce the chances of electric shock or electrocution as this effectively prevent current carrying lines from making contact with water, which could lead to electrocute of anyone that make contact with the such water.