Preventing electrical shocks and fires at home

Safety switches protect your home and family. They switch off the electricity immediately if an electrical fault is detected, preventing the risk of fire, electric shock, injury and death.

How do safety switches work, and why do I need them?

Safety switches, located in your switchboard, are also known as residual current devices (RCDs). They turn off the power immediately if an electrical fault is detected – protecting you from deadly electric shock. A safety switch will only protect you if it is on the circuit where there is a fault. To be fully protected, you may need more than one safety switch installed to cover the different circuits in your home.

If you are unsure if your home is covered by safety switches, contact a licensed electrician. A simple installation costs a few hundred dollars – talk with your electrician to find out more.

Smart moves to protect against electric shock at home:

• Contact a licensed electrician to check your electrical wiring and get safety switches installed. A simple installation costs a few hundred dollars.
• Already have switches installed? Do a simple test to check your safety switches are working properly.
• Always use a licensed electrician for all your electrical work and ask for a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work once the job is done.
• If you are a tenant, you can ask your agent or landlord if safety switches are installed and to have them tested as part of the property inspections.
• If you are a tenant, you can ask your agent or landlord if safety switches are installed and to have them tested as part of the property inspections.

Visit nsw.gov.au for more and step-by-step videos.