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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
Summer/Autumn 2017
energysafe issue 46
Home fatality prompts warning
By Sharon Rainsbury, Executive Manager
Media and Communications
ESV has once again reminded Victorians of
the dangers of do-it-yourself electrical work
after a Bentleigh man died in early March
while trying to install a powerpoint.
The man leaves a wife and two young
children.
This tragic incident has struck a chord with
Victorians with our Facebook post on accident
reaching more than 320,000 people in a matter
of days.
The majority of people who shared the post
tagged friends as a reminder not to DIY.
Victoria’s Director of Energy Safety, Paul
Fearon, said electrical work should only ever be
performed by licensed and registered electrical
workers.
“DIY can spell disaster if you try to do your own
electrical work,” Mr Fearon said. “This is a tragedy
for this family. You don’t get a second chance with
electricity.”
Mr Fearon said three Victorians had lost
their lives doing DIY electrical work in the past
18 months and householders should always hire
qualified tradespeople.
“No matter how simple the job may appear,
under no circumstances