LAHORE: Misinformation is circulating online, cautioning individuals in Pakistan about the potential dangers of using electric water heaters. The unverified assertions suggest that these heaters pose an electrocution risk if switched on during a shower.
It’s important to note that these claims lack sufficient evidence and may be misleading.
Claim;
“Please make sure to switch off your electric geyser when taking a shower,” wrote a user on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on November 30, “Make sure to retweet this so you can save lives.”
A short animation posted by a user depicts a man being electrocuted due to allegedly leaving an electric water heater on before taking a bath. The video has gained significant attention with nearly 700,000 views, 4,000 reposts, and over 5,000 likes.
براہ کرم نہانے سے پہلے الیکٹرک گیزر بند کر دیں…۔۔۔
لازمی ریٹویٹ کیجئے، زندگی بچائیے pic.twitter.com/DcwIyjX2G9
— Pakistan Tourism (@PakistanJannatt) November 30, 2023
Fact:
Experts acknowledge the potential risk of electric shock from electric water heaters but emphasize that the likelihood is minimal with proper safety precautions.
Professor Dr. Abdul Rauf Bhatti, chairperson of the electrical engineering department at Government College University in Faisalabad, advises the installation of an earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) with electric water heaters to prevent shocks and electrical fires caused by short circuits or overloads.
While talking to a news channel, he highlights that with an ELCB, electric geysers are safe for home use, as the device automatically shuts off when a leakage is detected.
Similarly, Professor Dr. Muhammad Shoaib, dean of the electrical engineering department at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, emphasizes that while geysers can pose a risk of faulty wiring, they are generally safe if proper safety measures are implemented.
Muhammad Asghar, from Asghar Electric and Cooling Works, stressed the importance of using an earth-leakage circuit breaker to prevent accidents. Tanveer Ahmed, an electrician at a geyser repairing shop in Harbanspura, Lahore, concurred, emphasizing that electric water heaters should only be installed with a breaker to ensure safety.
Contrary to the online claims, both electricians rejected the notion that electric water heaters are inherently hazardous when proper safety measures are in place.
