Electricity is cool as fuck. But alongside all the awesome shit it does, it can also act as a source of a whole lotta hurt – be it your hairdryer shocking you in the bathroom, your whole flat going up in flames (there’s a reason they check that shit is up to par in first-year halls), or to your wallet. Using multiboards and extension cords correctly is a good way to ensure your power bill isn’t too high, affecting your bill in surprising ways. Read on for Critic’s five tips to both save money and your flat!
- Unplug appliances you aren't using. This one may seem obvious, but if you have a heater, charger, or anything of the sort not in use, turn it off at the wall and unplug it. They can still use small amounts of power when not in use, and that all adds up!
- Common sense multiboard use. Top tip: if it heats or cools, it goes into the wall, not a multiboard! Do not use multiboards as a jury-rigged extension. Not only does it use more power, but multiboards can be dangerous if used wrong – and that's a wrong way of using it. It’s also important to make sure that leads to your multiboards aren't coiled up since the cables do put out a small amount of heat, and thermal runaway makes for a mighty good fire hazard.
- Charge devices on hard, non-flammable objects. This one seems pretty self-explanatory, but people do get caught out! Some phone cables (definitely not from a company named after a fruit) can fray and expose wires, which can make small shocks and burns far more common than they should be. This is just outright fucking dangerous, so if you have a fucked up cable: replace it. Charging devices on desks, side tables and other raised furniture is a good idea, but never do it on carpet.
- Make sure furniture doesn't sit on cables. I know, your desk chair might roll over your cables every now and then, but this can severely compromise the structure of your cable! If possible, have cables run as close to walls as possible so they don't interfere with furniture – or you, for that matter. Cables can be quite the trip hazard!
- Be sensible with your breaker board! Don't prop switches closed. If they keep tripping, they are tripping for a reason. Put your detective cap on and see if you can work it out. A good way to do this is to turn everything off, and as you turn things back on, check the board. A lot of Dunedin's older houses have really strange wiring setups, and even if they are safe, they can still be super confusing. Don’t be a dummy!