As schools break up for the long summer holidays, here are some timely and helpful tips from the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) on using electricity abroad. (Our featured image of the shocked-looking socket is by jnyemb.)
Travel adaptors
UK electrical appliances can be used abroad, as long as a travel adaptor is used to plug in the device. There are more than a dozen different types of plugs and sockets used throughout the world, and it’s important to know the type of socket used in the country you are visiting and buy the appropriate travel adaptor.
The ESC recommends buying adaptors before you go as not all adaptors available abroad will meet British safety standards.
Voltage converters
As well as different sockets, the voltage of electricity supplies differs from country to country – they can vary from anything between 100 volts to 240 volts.
If you are travelling to a country where the voltage is different to the UK, for example in the USA and most of South America where the supply is between 100 and 127 volts, then you will also need to use a voltage transformer or converter to make you sure your electrical appliances work safely.
If you are travelling in Europe you only need to worry about the socket type, as the voltage and frequency are the same across the continent.
Before you go:
- Switch off and unplug all electrical appliances in your home that don’t need to be on, (e.g. television, microwave, kettle) before you leave to prevent accidents while you are away
- Find out about the type of sockets and the voltage used in the country you are visiting
- Buy any necessary adaptors and converters before you go as not all products available abroad will meet British safety standards.
On holiday:
- Never assume that electrical safety levels are the same abroad as they are at home.
- On arrival, check your hotel room to make sure there are no exposed wires, damaged switches, or broken / cracked sockets. Report any concerns immediately to your tour operator or hotel manager
- Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands and keep mains-powered electrical appliances such as hair dryers / straighteners away from water
- Never force a travel adaptor or plug into a socket where it does not naturally fit
For more information on keeping safe while travelling abroad, visit www.esc.org.uk
