02/04/2026
Today I attended an emergency callout after a fire broke out in a backyard kitchen due to an electrical fault.
What makes this even more serious — there was an elderly disabled woman in a wheelchair and children inside the home at the time. Everyone was present and required emergency care. This could have easily turned into a fatal situation.
The fire ignited right next to flammable materials, with items actively exploding at the source. To make matters worse, the setup was right near a gas heater with exposed gas-fed piping — a disaster waiting to happen.
This is exactly what happens when safety is ignored — a switchboard compromised with cheap breakers, no proper earth protection on outlets, and overloaded circuits from multiple extension leads feeding piggyback power boards.
Electrical shortcuts might save money upfront, but they come with serious risks. Poor installation and lack of maintenance can turn into a life-threatening situation in seconds.
Your switchboard is the heart of your home’s electrical system — it must be compliant, properly protected, and installed with quality components. RCD (safety switches) are not optional, they are critical.
Don’t overload your circuits. Don’t rely on temporary setups as permanent solutions. And most importantly, don’t cut corners when it comes to electrical safety.
If your property hasn’t been checked in years, or you’re unsure about the condition of your switchboard, it’s time to get it inspected.
Don’t cheap in safety that can prevent a catastrophic outcome.
