JFB Urges Vigilance on Household Electrical Safety During Christmas Season

Public Education Officer for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, is reminding householders to pay close attention to signs of electrical problems in their homes, especially as electricity demand rises during the Christmas season.

Supt. Ebanks, speaking during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, explained that one of the telltale signs of problems within sockets and electrical systems is the presence of ants.

“If you see ants coming out of anything electrical, that is telling you that there is some amount of heat in there. That heat might very well be coming from sparking or arcing taking place,” he cautioned.

Supt. Ebanks stated that ants emerging from plugs, sockets, or switches should not be ignored, and urged persons to immediately contact a licensed electrician to conduct checks.

He further advised that homes inspected more than five years ago should be checked by a certified professional, as wires exposed to tropical elements may deteriorate over time.

Sharing a personal experience, Supt. Ebanks recounted that after noticing ants in his home, an electrician discovered termites had stripped insulation from several wires, forcing him to rewire a section of the house.

He emphasised that termite infestations can compromise electrical systems and should be addressed promptly.

“Do not wait until the lights start flickering. Call your electrician to come in and do some safety checks. It is better to rewire than to lose what, for many of us, is the largest investment we will make in our lifetime,” Supt. Ebanks said.

He further reminds citizens that during the Christmas season, electricity demand typically rises as households operate multiple appliances at once.

The Public Education Officer cautions that flickering lights while using washers, microwaves, or other devices may signal overloading, and urged vigilance to prevent potential hazards.

“All of these things are telltale signs that something is happening and things are not working the way they are supposed to. So, get it checked out,” Supt. Ebanks urged.