The City of Windhoek has launched its council's Electricity Safety Campaign in the Okuryangava Informal Settlement.

The campaign is aimed at creating awareness of electrical safety in homes, at work, in recreational areas and in other public spaces.

Even though electricity is excellent for cooking, heating, and lighting, it also bears significant risks to human and animal life if not carefully handled.

The City of Windhoek says electricity is often underestimated and taken advantage of due to a lack of knowledge of how dangerous it is.

This lack of knowledge can result in electric shocks and even death.

"The number of recorded fatalities increases year on year due to electrical shocks that result from improper use of electricity and illegal connection activities. The City of Windhoek aims to reduce the number of these types of fatalities, which is the reason we are gathered here today," said Joseph Uapingene, Deputy Mayor of the City of Windhoek.

The municipality says many people bypass electricity, overfill their kettles, vandalise electricity kiosk boxes, throw objects on power lines, steal copper from the electricity mini substations, overload plugs, and much more.

The public is now being empowered with information on how to protect themselves and their loved ones.

"To the parents in our communities, please educate your children to avoid playing on electricity kiosks, minisubs, and transformers in the streets. These are serious and dangerous hazards in the event that there is current leakage." 

Namibians were reminded of how privileged they are to enjoy a steady supply of electricity and were advised to be more self-reliant while exploring other renewable energy sources.