DANGEROUS ORDINARINESS

The presence of electricity in everyone's life has become habitual and commonplace. Both children and adults watch their favorite movies and cartoons on TV every day, boil water for tea with an electric kettle, store food in the refrigerator, and even read this article on a computer or mobile phone screen. No matter how safe the use of these electrical appliances may seem, one should never forget that violating the rules for operating electrical equipment can lead not only to a fire but also to an accident.

Indeed, a person must know the dangers that can occur, how to behave so that they do not happen, and also know the actions that will help to get out of an emergency with minimal losses. The safety formula states: foresee danger; avoid if possible, and act if necessary.

Or the universally "loved" habit of not unplugging electrical appliances when leaving home or going to bed. It is so convenient to come home, grab the remote, and turn on the TV with one button press, and at the same time, put the phone on charge with a light movement of the hand, or leave the computer on overnight to download something interesting but "heavy" in terms of data. This is very dangerous, as in non-operating but plugged-in electrical appliances, many components are under voltage, and due to overheating or short circuits, they can catch fire at any moment.

By knowing and foreseeing these emergencies, we will avoid them. However, "just in case," we must know how to act if an electrical appliance catches fire.

Quickly de-energize the room (unplug from the outlet, or better and safer, completely de-energize the room, ask your parents where the electrical panel is located). Cover the electrical appliance with a dense, heavy cloth to stop the oxygen supply. You can try to extinguish the fire with water (only when the electrical appliance is disconnected from the mains), while standing to the side, not in front of or behind the electrical appliance, as an explosion is possible, which can cause injury. If you cannot cope with the fire in the first minute, evacuate immediately, remembering that the smoke released during combustion is very toxic. Therefore, protect your respiratory organs with a scarf, sleeve, or other improvised means.