T-connectors, power banks, gas cylinders: SES warned about the most dangerous devices during blackouts
Kyiv • UNN
Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200 fires have been recorded due to emergency power grid modes. Rescuers emphasize the danger of using uncertified devices and overloading power grids.
Emergency workers report: against the backdrop of power outages, Ukrainians are increasingly trying to obtain heat and light by improvised means, and this leads to tragedies.
Since the beginning of the year alone, the department has recorded over a thousand fires due to emergency operation of electrical networks and appliances. Rescuers spoke about the most common risks and safety rules during a press briefing for citizens, UNN reports.
Fires due to electricity: statistics and common mistakes
Vladyslav Bahniuk, a representative of the Department of Civil Protection and Preventive Activities of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, emphasized that the problem has already become widespread.
"Unfortunately, since the beginning of the year (they recorded, - ed.) already over 1200 cases when fires started precisely due to emergency modes of operation of the electrical network or electrical appliances," Bahniuk said.
According to him, in many cases, the cause was either the use of uncertified devices or the dangerous "updating" of old appliances by hand.
Homemade extension cords and "triple taps" under load
Separately, rescuers drew attention to improvised extension cords. As an example, they showed a homemade extension cord that was not certified.
The representative of the State Emergency Service emphasized: anything that is not certified or has damaged insulation should be immediately taken out of use, and not waited until the first short circuit.
Another typical situation arises after power is restored, when people try to charge as much equipment as possible at the same time. Rescuers remind: you cannot plug five or five appliances into the same socket at the same time - this will overload the system.
Power banks and batteries: why they can explode at any moment
During blackouts, the number of risks associated with power banks and batteries also increases. According to the representative of the State Emergency Service, it is dangerous to use batteries that show signs of deformation. Such devices, he emphasized, can simply explode at any moment.
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Boilers and kettles: under what conditions can they be used
Similar rules apply to household water heaters. Rescuers noted that for less powerful charging stations, people sometimes choose boilers, but here too a simple rule applies: if the appliance is damaged, under no circumstances should it be used.
What to do if a fire occurs: the correct sequence of actions
In case of fire, first of all, you need to call rescuers.
"As soon as possible, you need to call the service at 101 or 112," emphasized the representative of the State Emergency Service.
He added an important detail: the person who receives the call from the injured person should hang up first.
If possible, if there is no heavy smoke, you can try to extinguish the fire with primary means, but with limitations.
The service representative emphasized: we do not extinguish live electrical appliances with water. Instead, you can use a fire extinguisher and follow the instructions.
"We pull out the pin, point the fire extinguisher at the source (of ignition, - ed.) and press."
If the smoke is heavy, rescuers advise leaving the premises, going to a safe place, and waiting for firefighters to arrive.
Additionally, the State Emergency Service advises ensuring that units can reach the scene of the call unhindered. After all, if there are closed doors, code locks, gates, they will become an obstacle for rescuers who arrived at the scene of the incident.
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Gas burners and cylinders: only for cooking and with ventilation
The relevant department separately warns Ukrainians about gas burners with cylinders, which people sometimes use as an alternative heat source. Rescuers emphasize: such devices can be used exclusively for heating food and only in the open air. It is strictly forbidden to use them for heating premises, as there is a risk of explosion: heat is transferred to the cylinder, the gas inside expands and can detonate.
For safe use, it is recommended to buy only certified burners and follow the instructions.
The tightness of the connection is also important. You can check it in a simple way.
"Banal: soap solution. Lubricate the connection points of the cylinder. In the absence of bubbles, the connection is considered airtight and you can follow the instructions," say rescuers.
Why you can't put a cylinder on an electric stove
A separate dangerous practice recorded by rescuers is placing a cylinder on an electric stove. The State Emergency Service explained the direct scenario of an accident: when the light is restored, the stove will start to heat up and this gas cylinder will simply explode. Therefore, cylinders and burners should be kept away from heat sources and in places inaccessible to children.
"Silent killer" - carbon monoxide and generators
Rescuers also remind about carbon monoxide poisoning.
"It is not for nothing that carbon monoxide is called a silent killer," said the representative of the State Emergency Service, explaining that the substance has neither color nor smell.
According to him, carbon monoxide binds more actively to hemoglobin than oxygen, which means the body does not receive critically important gas and a person can lose consciousness, and without help, even fatal consequences are possible. Therefore, ventilation is necessary for any burning.
Separately, rescuers mentioned generators. They emphasize: they must be installed exclusively in the fresh air, at a distance of six meters or more.
"Under no circumstances should they be installed on open balconies, in basements," the State Emergency Service warned, adding that cases of deaths due to ignoring these rules have already been recorded.