KARACHI, March 12: The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation on Monday advised public to take extra precaution for protecting themselves and their families from electrocution during rains.

KESC spokesman said it was the responsibility of elders to take extra care for the safety of their children, adding that children should not be allowed near the poles or any other electric installation during rains.

Every year, precious lives were lost due to illegal connections (kundas), the spokesman said and suggested that it was a suitable time for the people using kundas to disassociate themselves from this illegal practice which could prove fatal.

Highlighting some of the safety measures to be adopted during rains, he said in case of any broken wire the nearest KESC centre or complaint centre at 118 should be immediately informed. “Inform by phone or if the phone is busy, lodge the complaint at the centre-window,” he said adding that the broken wire may be live and may cause fatal accident.

The spokesman asked users of local generators to install generators separately from the KESC line. He said the generators connected on KESC neutral wire was dangerous for the staff working on the line in case of a power failure. He warned the people to keep away from the water accumulated during rains around electric poles or other power installations. He said local switches fixed on the poles for streetlights should not be touched during rains. Besides, he said in case one phase was off people must not jump over to the other phase.

“Past history suggests that higher rate of fatal accidents during rains have happened in kunda-infested areas and amongst the illegal connections users. Hence, it is important that people for their own safety should remove these illegal connections,” he added.