Home Electrical Safety

Never touch plugs or sockets with wet hands

Dry your hands first before plugging in, unplugging, or using a switch.

Do not overload extension boards or adaptors

Connect only one extension unit or adaptor to each wall socket; use a separate fixed socket for high-power appliances.

Unplug appliances before cleaning

Switch off and unplug before wiping, washing, or removing movable parts.

Keep heaters away from bedding, clothes, and curtains

Follow the heater instructions for clearance and keep bedding, clothes, curtains, paper, and other combustibles away.

Unplug a blender before handling its blades

Switch off and unplug, wait for the blades to stop, then fit, remove, or clean them as instructed.

Stop using damaged electrical cords

If a cord, plug, or casing is damaged, loose, discoloured, or charred, stop using it and have it checked by an experienced technician.

Keep water containers away from electrical appliances

Never place cups, vases, basins, or wet items on or beside appliances, and keep appliances away from windows, balconies, and splash areas.

Keep extension cords out of walkways and pinch points

Do not run extension cords across walkways, through doors, under rugs or furniture, or where wheels, heavy items, or doors can crush them.

Switch off and unplug by the plug body

Switch the appliance off, then hold the plug body to unplug it; never pull the cord.

Unplug chargers after use and stop for abnormal heat

Unplug after charging; stop for excessive heat, discolouration, deformation, or a burning smell.

Do not use a power bank while it is charging

Do not use a power bank to charge a phone or another device while the power bank itself is charging.

Keep extension units out of wet areas

Use extension units and leads only in dry places, away from bathrooms, sinks, wet floors, and splashes.

Unplug and cool an iron safely before storage

Switch off, unplug by the plug, and leave the iron upright on a stable heat-resistant surface out of children's reach until fully cool.

Leave fixed electrical work to a registered electrical contractor

The employer must arrange a registered electrical contractor for fixed wiring, sockets, or distribution boards; a helper must not open or repair them.

Keep appliance ventilation spaces clear

Leave the space required by the manual and never cover air inlets or outlets.

Avoid leaving an operating washing machine unattended

Stay home while it runs and watch for unusual noise, smell, vibration, or leaks; stop and unplug if anything is wrong.

Critical safety ruleChild safety

Cover unused sockets with childproof covers

Fit suitable, secure childproof covers to unused sockets within a young child’s reach.

Keep hair-dryer airflow clear

Never block the inlet or outlet during use, and remove dry lint regularly.

Keep fan guards secure

Before switching on a fan, check both guards are locked; stop if damaged or loose.

Clean fan and cooker-hood dust

Following the maker’s instructions, remove dust and grease after power is off and parts are cool.

Switch off appliances during a power interruption

During a blackout or unstable supply, switch off and safely unplug non-essential appliances.

Keep electric blankets flat and switch off before sleep

Use it flat as directed, never folded or trapped, and switch off and unplug before sleep.

Charge devices on a hard ventilated surface

Charge phones, tablets, and power banks on a firm, dry, uncovered surface with space for heat to escape.

Stop using swollen or damaged batteries

Stop charging or using a power bank or device if its battery swells, leaks, cracks, overheats, or smells unusual.

Keep loose items away from fans

Keep paper, cloth, plastic bags, and loose cords away from operating fans, exhaust fans, and cooker hoods.

Unplug the toaster before clearing a jam

Switch off and unplug a toaster, let it cool, and use the maker's safe method before removing stuck food.

Keep metal out of the microwave

Use only containers confirmed suitable for microwave cooking and remove metal utensils, foil, and metal-trimmed items.

Keep cleaner away from electrical controls

Before cleaning a socket, switch, or appliance panel, disconnect power safely and apply a small amount of cleaner to the cloth, keeping controls dry.

Stay clear of fallen power lines

Treat every fallen, hanging, or damaged power line as live, keep well away, and stop others approaching.

High-priority reminderFood safety

Keep the fridge closed during a power outage

Note when the outage starts and keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut to preserve cold temperatures.

High-priority reminderKitchen fire safety

Microwave-safe wrap is not grill-safe

Use wrap only in the modes and conditions allowed by its label. Remove wrap for grill use and choose cookware approved for that mode.

Never restrict an open-outlet water heater

Never restrict the outlet of an open-outlet storage water heater. Ask a qualified person to confirm the manufacturer's specified fittings.

Check voltage, not just plug fit

Use it only when its supply requirements and connection are suitable for Hong Kong. Keep it unplugged and ask the supplier if the rating is unclear or incompatible.

Do not exceed a lamp holder's wattage rating

Fit only the permitted bulb type within the lamp holder's maximum wattage. If the rating cannot be read, ask for a suitable replacement to be confirmed.

Never force open socket shutters

Use a suitable compliant connection instead of forcing the shutter open. Report a damaged socket and keep it out of use pending inspection.

Keep charger contacts away from metal

Keep the contacts protected and store the charger as its instructions specify. Unplug an unused charger and stop using one with damaged contacts or sparks.

Keep metal utensils off induction hobs

Keep the hob for suitable cookware and put utensils on a separate surface. Switch off after cooking and do not use the hob as storage.

Do not microwave uncooked eggs

Do not directly microwave uncooked eggs; use a suitable alternative cooking method. Keep people back if an egg bursts and deal with burns promptly.

Microwaved water can be superheated

Avoid overheating water and allow the instructed standing time before handling. Keep your face away and do not abruptly add a spoon or powder to very hot water.

Never open a microwave casing

Never remove the microwave casing or touch internal components. Keep a faulty oven out of use and arrange qualified repair.

Do not overfill an electric kettle

Keep water at or below the marked maximum level. Remove excess water before switching on and boil separate batches if needed.

Immerse aquarium heaters before switching on

Restore the required water level before powering the heater again. Do not plunge a hot dry heater into water; arrange a check if it overheated.

Lock blender attachments before starting

Confirm each required attachment is correctly locked before starting. Stop if a part will not lock; never bypass an interlock or hold a loose assembly together.

Keep rubber and wax items out of dryers

Keep prohibited materials out of the dryer as the garment and machine labels direct. Separate them from the load and choose a permitted drying method.

Empty pockets before machine washing

Load clothes only after the pockets are emptied. Put removed items safely away and stop the machine if an object or abnormal noise is noticed.

Insulate rechargeable battery terminals before recycling

Insulate exposed terminals with suitable tape as the programme directs. Keep batteries separate from metal; ask the collector about damaged or leaking batteries before transport.

No electric blanket for a heat-insensitive person

Do not use electric blankets for heat-insensitive people or young children; follow product limits and care advice for other users.

Avoid electrode-type electric warm bags

Do not use electrode-type electric warm bags; stop using an unidentified type and ask the supplier or EMSD. Do not open or repair the bag to identify it; tell the employer and arrange safe handling with the supplier.