Energex and Queensland Fire & Emergency Services are urging holidaymakers to safeguard against fire and save on electricity by switching off before going away on holidays.
Homes left unattended for longer than usual periods can become susceptible to fires, and the additional power consumption can be costly to the customer.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner Greg Leach says last December and January alone, firefighters attended more than 100 house fires that were reported as being due to faulty electrical appliances.
“Fires in electrical appliances are often caused by overheating. If you can, unplug them at the wall to prevent any electrical faults while you’re not home.
“It’s also vital that your smoke alarms are in working order. This will ensure people are alerted to a fire as soon as possible in your absence and minimise the risk of major structural damage.”
Energex Area Manager Kevin Lavender says by switching appliances off before heading off on holidays, you will also be saving on electricity costs.
“By going from room to room and turning off appliances that will not be used during the holiday break rather than leaving them on standby mode, customers will be saving money”.
“Customers lucky enough to be going away for an extended period should also consider cleaning out and switching off fridges and turning hot water systems off at the switchboard.
“By taking a few precautions before heading away on holidays, you can leave with peace of mind knowing you’ll return to your home just as you left it.”
