Melbourne – Master Electricians Australia (MEA) has launched the Victorian leg of its national campaign to provide free checks of domestic switchboards, in an effort to boost the safety of Australian homes and the people who live in them.

Chief Executive Malcolm Richards said the organisation had chosen to launch the 10-Point Switchboard Safety Check to highlight the importance of electrical safety and to reduce fatalities.

“Master Electricians is committed to helping home owners stay safe and prevent needless electrical tragedies,” Mr Richards said.

“Unsafe switchboards can lead to fire, electric shock and potentially death. That’s why MEA is doing the free 10-point safety check to provide peace of mind to homeowners that their switchboard meets the relevant safety standards.

“I strongly urge Victorian residents to contact their local accredited Master Electrician and take full advantage of this free service.”

Mr Richards said the inspections would be offered to home owners when a contractor was already on site, and would identify any urgent safety issues visible in the switchboard, such as live electrical fittings, vermin or asbestos.

It would also identify semi-urgent issues, such as a home not having safety switches installed on every circuit, and make recommendations about fixing the issues.

“In the event of an electrical accident, a safety switch can cut the power faster than the critical phase of a heartbeat.  But it’s astonishing the number of times our members open switchboards and find that this cheap and basic protection is missing.

“Through our free 10-Point Switchboard Safety Check, we will help home owners protect themselves and their families by identifying urgent safety issues, as well as giving them suggestions for improving their safety in the longer term.”

Malcolm Richards is available for interview.
Please phone The SAS Group on 07 3221 9222 or 0467 792 013.