Gold Coasters wearing thongs in the shower to avoid electric shocks and tingles

Gold Coasters are taking extreme measures to avoid household shocks and tingles. The solution is much easier. Find out more.

Gold Coasters are wearing thongs in the shower and rubber gloves to do the dishes to avoid electric shocks, according to the state energy distributor.

Energex has reported customers were risking their lives by not getting electrics checked out after receiving a shock and instead implementing unsafe workarounds.

Almost 240 Gold Coast residents told Energex they had received a shock or tingle from metal within a home in 2022.

Energex area manager Chris Graham said anyone who received a shock at home, no matter how minor, should call Energex.

“At no cost to the caller, one of our crews will come to the premise, diagnose the source of the electric shock and recommend the next course of action for the property owner,” Mr Graham said.

“If a fault is found on the Energex side of the network we will repair it at absolutely no cost.

“However, if the fault is found to be within the customer’s property, we will make the premises electrically safe and the owner will need to engage the services of a licensed electrical contractor to carry out the potentially lifesaving repair.”

Mr Graham said they had received reports of people trying home remedies – such as thongs in the shower, rubber gloves to wash the dishes and avoiding certain outlets – in an effort to avoid shocks.

“The bottom line is you should never receive a shock or tingle from any metal components within your property and if you do there is an electrical fault causing it – so please don’t ignore it,” Mr Graham said.

“Delayed reporting is usually due to not understanding the seriousness of the issue, so we want everyone to understand these incidents are potentially life-threatening and if you don’t act immediately you are putting yourself or someone else at risk.”

Mr Graham said customers had reported shocks or tingles from items including indoor and outdoor taps, showers, shed doors and ladders resting on gutters.

To report life-threatening electrical hazards call Energex on 13 19 62.

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