A SPECIAL plea for electricity users to make safety a priority over the festive season has been made by Winsome Callum, head of corporate communications at the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS).
Ms. Callum was talking to Power 106's Tony Laing, following the opening of a new JPS full service branch in Portmore, earlier this month.
"Anyone planning a party of a special event in a location that does not have electricity must apply for a temporary supply from the JPS," she stressed, "You don't just get a man to hook up something for you. This is dangerous, you might be exposing yourself and others to possible electrocution.
"You should not have lose wires hanging around. Get an electrician, and get the Government Electrical Inspector to approve the site, and then the JPS will come and make the connection for you - it is a very straightforward process. You need to start the process two weeks in advance, and you need to make a deposit, based on the estimated consumption."
Neglecting to follow this procedure, Miss Callum warned, would not only pose a safety hazard, but could also interrupt the power supply to others in the neighbourhood.
Stressing the importance of sustained conservation efforts by all members of the household, Ms. Callum said that, for most households, the refrigerator is the single highest user of energy, as an average 16 cubic foot refrigerator burns about 80 kwh per month, representing some $960 monthly, at current prices.
She also pointed out that, since efficiency decreases with age, refrigerators over 10 years old need to be replaced, while a lot of energy can be lost if the rubber seal around the fridge door is not sealing properly.
Oother high-energy users are clothes irons, air-conditioners, electric water heaters, hair dryers and clothes dryers.
