Electricity is part of our every-day lives. It's something we rely on to get by. But it's powerful and can cause injury or even death if not used correctly. It's crucial to know how to stay safe around electricity, particularly if you've got young kids in the house. Read on to find our top tips to keep you and your family safe.

It's particularly important that the little ones in your home know the dangers of electricity and how to use power points safely. Teach them to be spark smart by focusing on important do's and don'ts such as:

• DON'T put anything other than a power plug in a power point
  
• DON'T overload one power point or power board
  
• DO pull from the plug, not the cord
  
• DON'T put metal objects in the toaster
  
• DON'T put metal objects in the microwave
  

We suggest putting some signs up around the house for young kids to get them thinking about electrical safety on a regular basis. Another great idea is to use plug caps when there's young children in the house.

For the adults out there, don't forget the basics! Here's some do's and don'ts that you certainly don't want to forget:

• DON'T touch a worn, frayed or damaged electrical cord
  
• DO keep electrical wires and appliance cords away from heaters
  
• DO turn off a light at the switch before changing a lamp
  
• DON'T leave a mobile phone charging unattended

As adults, we all know that water and electricity don't mix. It's crucial to teach this to our kids at a young age. The danger can be fatal, so it couldn't be more important. Top tips for keeping safe around water include:

• DON'T swim during a thunderstorm
• DON'T plug an electrical appliance in near a pool
• DON'T use electrical appliances if you're wet, standing in water or near water
• DON'T put drinks on top of your video game console or any other electrical devices

Grown-ups, be careful when using electrical appliances in the bathroom or kitchen. Consider storing these away from where children might be able to reach them.

Sometimes we forget that electricity really is all around us if we live in a suburban area. Therefore, kids aren't always safe when playing outside. Make sure your kids know their outdoor electrical safety by teaching them these do's and don'ts:

• DON'T ever throw things on power lines
• DON'T use kites, balloons or remote-controlled drones or planes near power lines
• DO stay away from power lines
• DON'T climb trees near power lines
• DON'T touch power lines even if they fall 

Damage to the electrics in your home might not be visible right away so it's important to do a regular DIY safety check.

Walk through your home and test all the light switches and power sockets. If any stop working, it could mean a red flag.

Check for any flickering of appliances or sparking when you pull a plug out. These are not normal and might have something to do with faulty wiring!

Perform a test on your RCDs and look around for any visibly damaged cords or exposed wiring. If anything doesn't seem right, call a licensed electrician right away to keep your family safe.

If you're not sure about anything, it's better to be safe than sorry. Call Christchurch Electrical 03 366 1823 for a safety check up today!