Safety Watts

Electricity is very useful in our lives but it must be handled with caution. Failure to do so is hazardous to both life and property.

A basic safety tip to have in mind is that the wires that bring electricity from the utility pole into your home are very powerful. Never touch them. Never let a metal ladder or a TV antenna touch these wires either.


Remember — stay clear and stay alive!

Working safely around electricity

Although electricity brings life and rhythm to our homes, it is important to remember how dangerous it can be if not used safely. In many incidences, poor safety measures have resulted in severe injuries and even death.


Below are basic measures to help you to work safely with electricity.

  • Competent persons: Make sure that people who are working with electricity are skilled even in simple tasks such as wiring a plug.
  • Faulty equipment: Ensure that suspect or faulty equipment is taken out of use, labeled ‘DO NOT USE’ and kept secure until examined by a competent person.
  • Plugging: Where possible, switch off tools and power socket-outlets before plugging or unplugging.
  • Cleaning equipment: Switch off equipment before cleaning or making adjustments.
  • Complex tasks: More complicated tasks should only be handled by people with the technical knowledge of the risks involved and precautions required.
  • Exposed areas: Never allow work on or near exposed live parts of equipment unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Suitable precautions should also be taken to prevent injury, both to the workers and to anyone else who may be in the area.
  • Underground power cables: Always assume that cables will be present when digging in the street, pavement or near buildings. Use up-to-date service plans, cable avoidance tools and safe digging practices to avoid danger.
  • Overhead power cables: When working near overhead lines, like when cutting trees near power lines, it is possible to have them switched off or temporarily removed by Kenya Power if enough notice is given. Kenya Power can also give information about the required safe working distance from the cables.