Power problem

Experts warn of dangers surrounding overloaded outlets

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

You might be tempted to plug one more double adaptor into your power board, but did you know that overloading it can cause a major fire?

Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters have issued a fresh warning about overloaded powerboards following an incident in western Sydney last week.

On arrival at the unit complex in Villawood, the firefighters were confronted with a unit on the second floor of a three-level unit block engulfed in flames and threatening to spread to adjoining units.

It took firefighters around 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

FRNSW specialist investigators believe an overload of power boards was to blame for the blaze, which damaged three units and saw 50 people evacuated.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said that “poor maintenance and incorrect usage of power boards can result in home and office fires endangering lives and causing considerable damage to property”.

FRNSW statistics also show that there have been 476 residential house fires caused by electrical faults since June 2022.

John Newham, from local business JDN Electrical Services, said it’s important to only use power boards with inbuilt safety switches and throw out any that don’t have them to mitigate the risk.

“Don’t overload them, don’t plug additional double adaptors into the power board, and make sure they are properly plugged in,” he said.

“Plug all heaters directly into wall sockets instead of power boards as heaters generally have more power usage requirements, this creates heat at the power board.”

Pressure Mounts On Local Families

The combination of high petrol prices, increasing power and grocery bills and interest rate rises has many families struggling to make ends meet.

Almost half of Australian mortgage holders say they have made changes to their home loan to cope with higher interest rates including stopping their extra repayments, extending their loan term or even selling their home, according to new research from Canstar.

Canstar’s finance expert, Steve Mickenbecker, said the majority of those who had mad changes were reducing extra repayments.

“Many borrowers have used the low interest era in recent years to prepare for higher rates by making extra repayments and now have money in their offset accounts or available for redraw,” he said.

“Refinancing into a lower rate loan has got to be the least painful way to cope with higher interest rates. Borrowers can potentially save around half of the repayment increases that have come through in the last 12 months, halving the degree of difficulty.”

Sarah Megginson, money expert at Finder, said Aussies are sick of feeling broke with many finding a second job or taking extra hours at their main place of employment.

Problems with power boards can arise from a range of factors including dust build-up in unused points, power leads becoming dislodged over time, heavy plug-in transformers that will “overbalance” and partially unplug, and inadequate ventilation of the power board.

“If possible, change single power points to multiple outlet power points to avoid the use of power boards altogether,” Newham said.

“Living frugally is not enough as paying for everyday basics is becoming an impossible task for many of us,” she said.

“Households are having to buckle down and find ways to increase income as inflation increases the cost of everything from groceries and petrol to energy and insurance.”

How are you coping with rising prices? Tell us what you’re doing differently: Email news@westernweekender.com.au.