Easy Solutions

Handy Hints for the Household

CIRCUIT BREAKERS

After fitting a circuit breaker you’ll never have to rewire another fuse. That’s because a correctly installed circuit breaker cuts off the power before a circuit becomes dangerously overloaded. Then, after the fault has been fixed, you can simply switch them back on.

MENDING A FUSE

Turn off the master switch at the fuse box. To locate the problem, remove and return each fuse plug. Remove the burnt out wire and replace with a length of 8amp (lights) or 15 amp (power) fuse wire. Tighten screws over wire, snip off excess and replace the repaired plug fuse in its socket. Turn power back on when you are sure that all of the fuses have been repaired and that the fault is no longer present. If fuses blow regularly you may have a dangerous fault in your wiring and you should consult a licensed electrical contractor.

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS

For your family’s safety, it is important to install smoke alarms. Establish the number of alarms needed and where they’ll be installed. Then determine which alarms are best suited for that area. Use products that carry local standards approved symbol.

CLEANING GLASS LIGHTING

Cover the floor underneath the light fitting with a sheet or towel. Take care not to wet the actual light and use detergent and bleach applied with a soft rag. Then wipe clean with a linen serviette to give it added sparkle.

REFRIGERATOR MAINTENANCE

Wash and dry the inside regularly using only small amounts of detergent. Finish off with a cloth dipped in vinegar to prevent mildew. A quarter of a cup of ammonia mixed with cold water in a spray bottle helps clean the refrigerator exterior and waxing will prevent soiling.

MENDING GLASSWARE

Before repairing glass, the broken pieces need to be roughened a little with a diamond scratch to provide a better "key" for adhesive. Use very fine sandpaper or an emery board to smooth out chips on the rim of a glass and squeeze toothpaste onto a soft cloth to remove any minor scratches.

CLEANING MILDEW

Light stains on fabric may be washed out in the laundry. You could also try soaking in diluted bleach, rubbing with a cut lemon dipped in salt or dabbing with hydrogen peroxide. Keep moist until the spots fade, rinse and wash as usual.

CHANGING A POWER LEAD PLUG

Remove the cover and push it up the cord. Loosen the screws on the terminals and remove wires, noting their position. Cut the cord off clean before removing the outer plastic to expose the three wires. Twist each wire together and connect to correct terminal, tighten screws and replace cover.

HOME SECURITY

Never leave keys hidden outside the house. Lock away ladders and tools that could be used in a burglary and install movement activated lights to deter thieves.

LADDER SAFETY

When using a ladder always make sure both the legs are evenly placed on the ground. Use wide timber chocks to even up the ladder on sloping surfaces and if possible, nail the chock to the floor to prevent it from slipping. Take care around power lines when putting a metal ladder up or down.

AVOID ELECTRIC SHOCK

Avoid overloading a circuit with too many adapters or powerboards, which could overload or cause a shock. Look after cords and regularly inspect cords for any signs of mechanical damage. Always make sure your hands are dry before touching any electrical equipment, plugs or sockets

CEILING FAN WOBBLES

Check that the fan blades aren’t out of balance by clipping a clothes peg mid-way along the leading edge of each blade, one at a time. Turn the fan on to a low speed and see it the added weight stops the wobble. When successful, replace peg with adhesive-backed lead-weighted tape.