Flood list of do’s and don’ts from Sarawak Energy Berhad

KUCHING: It is crucial to stay away from power lines, electrical wires and installations in flooded areas, Sarawak EnergyBerhad (SEB) cautioned yesterday.

SEB said it wished to advise members of the public to take extra precautions, before, during and after the flood recedes toavoid accidents and fatalitycaused by electrical hazards associated with flooding, according to chief operating officer Lu Yew Hung in a press statement yesterday.

For houses anticipated to be affected by flood, the main switchboard should be switched off before water enters the house for the safety of the occupants, said Lu.

Electrical appliances exposed to water can be extremely dangerous if re-energised without proper reconditioning or replacement. Flood damage to electrical equipment can sometimes be hidden; such as television sets which can cause electric shock even after they have been unplugged.

It is important not to use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they are declared safe by a qualified technician, said Lu.

When preparing for flood, the public affected must be determine if their home is in an area of potential flood risk. They are advised to check with the local authorities such as the District Office or Local Municipality or Drainage and Irrigation Department.

The following is more advice and useful information from SEB:

In any area where immediate flooding is anticipated, it is essential to shut off all electrical power by turning off the main switchboard;

If you have time before you evacuate your home or business, move as much electrical equipmentas possible to floors or areasabove the anticipated flood level;

If needed, engage a licensed contractor to remove fixed electrical appliances such as electric motor, fan and other heavy machineries from been affectedby the anticipated floods;

See the article here:
Flood list of do’s and don’ts from Sarawak Energy Berhad