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Safety With Electricity

Power Tools

Before using, look for damage to the flex sheath, for exposed cores where the flex enters the plug, and cracks in the plug casing. Make sure the tool casing is securely closed and undamaged.

Outdoors

Plug power tools into a special socket outlet or a plug-in adaptor with a residual current device (RCD). This cuts off the power supply if you touch any live parts on the tool, flex, or plug.

Wiring Work

Don't take on wiring projects unless you know what you are doing. Badly executed wiring work can kill. Always turn the power supply off at the main fuse box or consumer unit before you start work. Isolate individual circuits by removing the fuseholder or turning off the miniature circuit breaker (MCB). Double-check all connections have been correctly and securely made.

Cable Detector

Use this inexpensive battery-powered tool to check the whereabouts of circuit cables (and water pipes) that may be concealed behind walls on which you are working.