KUCHING: More awareness should be given to safety at home particularly on the usage of water heaters or any other electrical appliances to avoid untoward incidents like electrocution.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Lee Lam Thye said this so that house occupants are aware and can learn more about the basics and fundamentals on home safety.
“For instance, the government, they have the various authorities, and thus they can come in to provide information or come up with something on the do’s and don’ts when it comes to usage of electrical appliances.
“Apart from that, there could be a platform where the public can contact the relevant agencies if they have any problem and the agencies will go and access instead of themselves handling it,” he said.
He said this to New Sarawak Tribune when contacted for comments on what can be done to prevent incidents of individuals being electrocuted when using water heaters.
Earlier on Thursday (Mar 10), Bernama reported that a couple were found dead in a bathroom of a flat in Taman Tringkap, Brinchang in Cameron Highlands, and preliminary investigation found burn marks on the palm of the woman, who is believed to have been electrocuted when she went to help husband, who was showering using the water heater when the incident occurred.
The victims, Damian Senin, 46, from Kampung Daha Kisau, Serian and his wife Ronwina Mambai, 35, from Kampung Ruan Lubang Tiung, Simunjan left behind three children aged nine, eight, and one.
Lee said that it was a tragic incident, and acknowledged that many such incidents have occurred many times before.
“Now, I think this is a matter that must be taken very seriously by all the house occupants because it has something to do with the safety aspect of handling these electric appliances.
“Every house occupant must have some basic knowledge and understanding of the safety aspect of the electric appliances used,” he said.
He added that house occupants are urged to read about the information on electrical safety which can be found on the Internet.
“For instance, those in charge of installing the water heater should also provide the knowledge to the people in the house because there are many people who are not aware of the safety aspect,” he said.
Lee further said that for water heaters that have been installed and have been there for many years, be it at houses or rented places, occupants must ensure that they get the experts to check on the reliability and safety of the water heater.
“This is so that when they detect something is not right, then an unwanted incident can be prevented,” he said.
“When it comes to safety, it includes being safe at home, outside the house, while on the road, including public and workplace,” he added.
