iPhone5 Electric Shock: Australian Group Spearheads Campaign to Raise Safety Awareness
The increasing number of cases of iPhone 5 electric shocks has prompted an Australian national association to spearhead a campaign aims at raising awareness and enjoining Aussies to take extra precautions in using electric appliances at home.
The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) recently launched an information drive in response to the staggering number of emergency calls involving electric shock this year. Records show that in the first half of 2013 alone, the New South Wales Ambulance had reportedly received 232 emergency calls for electric shocks. This has raised concern for NECA considering that the emergency cases revolve in the four corners of every Aussie’s home.
“The number of ambulance call-outs caused by shocks from changing a light bulb, fingers stuck in power points and people zapped by a faulty light switch is always a concern. But what appears to be a new trend, is people getting shocks from their mobiles and smartphones,” the group said in a statement sent to IBTimes-AU.
The group finds it timely to promote awareness on iPhone electrick shock to enjoin Australians in taking into consideration the best practices there are to ensure safety and protection from electronic products, including Smartphone.
The electronic association enumerated initial parameters as it calls on Aussie consumers to be vigilant in the use of tech goods.
It recommended to use authentic accessories, such as chargers and to put more importance on the consumers’ safety than the few dollars saved from third-party products.
The group noted, “Australia has very comprehensive safety standards for electrical appliances – including smart ‘phone chargers, but many Smartphone chargers in use in Australia today are bought cheaply on-line, often from Asia, and do not meet Australian standards, despite their labeling.
To prove its point, NECA described the consequences every Aussie will suffer from substandard products.
“A user of these non-compliant chargers can potentially be exposed to fire, or electric shock, risks due to sub-standard manufacturing. A breakdown in the insulation can see 250 volts on the ‘phone charger plug rather than the recommended 5 volts. And this leaves the user very exposed to a potentially fatal electric shock,” NECA said in the statement.
“The general rule of thumb is that if a ‘phone charger, or anything electrical, looks too cheap to be true, the chances are it does not meet Australian standards,” reiterated by an official from NECA.
It also proposes constant inspection of all the electricity connections in everyone’s home.
“Householders should also periodically inspect all plugs on appliances, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, to ensure there is no damage to electric cords, or plugs. They should also ensure that safety switches are fitted to the home to add that extra degree of electrical safety,” the statement said.
Asking for careful usage practices, NECA suggests that Aussies to reflect on tech consumption “just to save a few dollars, given the potential inj ury you, or your family member, may suffer.”
The campaign may indeed be timely following reports that two-thirds of Australians prefer Smartphones over TV.
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