Be a considerate road user

Before you even start learning to drive on the road, you need to pass a basic Highway Code and you need to understand them well so you don't putting yourself or others at risk.

New road users must build positive attitudes to road use and to take responsibility for using the roads safely. This, in turn, should result in fewer deaths and serious injuries among road users.
 Improves safety by practising road skills is a significant life saving skill which might safe your life one day. Unlike playing a PS3 game, in real life you won't get that second chance or restarting the game due to your mistakes.  When a fatal error occurs, there's no way to go back and undo. In a simpler words, "What's done cannot be undone."

Road users are required by law to sit and pass the highway code test. Is that enough? I think before getting their license to drive, the authority should include a class to teach drivers to be more civic minded.

So how to be considerate road users?


It is important to be patient with all who use the road. Be patient and stay calm when driving but we often found ourselves become impatient when behind trucks or stuck in a traffic jam.

 Patience is a virtue, and this gentle giant of a dog shows it!

Common Parking Mistakes.

 Is your car parking too close to the other vehicle's? Leaving with no space for  one needs to get in or out of the vehicle.

When struggles to find a parking spot for his car some of them will drew inspiration from Mr. Bean.

 Parking your car correctly.

Drivers who park in two spots or parking spaces is a nuisance and, as a consequence, his vehicle occupied two parking the empty lot deprive other drzivers of parking lots.

This happens all the time..Hey there is a empty parking lot but when you're about to turn inside you see the parking spot your car cannot fit into. Why? It's the nerd  people who double park.

Double parking

Don't blocked the access by parking directly in front of someone else car. Again where has his common sense gone?

You may want to imagine yourself when you want to exit from the parking lot and you found your surrounding by brainless road users who blocks your exit path.

This green car collected a lot of angry fans mail criticizing the driver parking habit of blocking someone car exit path

Don't double park unless it's a matter of life and death but still you have to leave your mobile phone number on your windshield or dashboard incase someone want to get out.

The car owner at the back of this 4WD truck is about to learn an expensive lesson as the very angry driver reverse back to give the truck more room to exit but in the process pushed the car in the middle of the road.

Don't park your motorcycle in  designated car parking lot, motorcycles are supposed to park in motorcycle parking space. When the driver starting to reverse, if you park  behind his vehicle he will knocked your motorbike over.

Where's your brain? You may park only in designated motorcycle spaces  but not at car parking lot.

Some might say that why can't the expensive car owner owned by a disabled  person? Answer is when you park in any parking space designated for a person with a disability, you must display a current placard for disability.

What would you do if you have neighbours like this? My neighbour like to  parked his car near the front of my gate, blocking  clear exit pathways. I have sometimes wondered whether his mind would no longer function .

Don't be a Road Hog

Give way to other road user. Never road hog.  Don't hold up traffic and frustrate other road users. Being a considerate driver means being prepared to give way.

A simple rules of the road, if your vehicle speed is too slow you should not occupy the fast lane!

Caution road hog, oops! Correction it's sow feeding piglets

 I know some of you like to like to argue with this,  “I'm doing the speed limit, so nobody can legally pass me  but is it your rights to hogs the fast lane? No, as common sense says if somebody come up behind a slow car in the fast lane and trying to pass, you should just let the other driver pass.

Ahem, I don't know why but certain drivers especially the women will have this habit of road hogging. Although some men also guilty of this way.You may find it hard to believe, even knowing you have indicating you wants to overtake but it's just a  mysterious reason on why they just won't budge.

This is where frustation crept into you. Can't understand why some drivers hog the road and they not even driving at maximum speed limit. So what exactly are they doing deliberately, just to get somebody's attention?

Some women become so engrossed with driving but failed to see other drivers trying to warn other drivers of a breakdown or crash ahead by headlight flashing but usually women(some)  mistakenly interpret the opposite sex as flirting.

If you only look at the middle of the road, you will miss what is happening far ahead on the side of the road and behind you. From time to time the rear-view mirror could be utilized effectively to  overtake a slower vehicle or to check if someone try to overtake then move to the side and slow down to allow them to pass.

Stopping a car safely

I don't know if you have  encountered this before? There are some people who have no common sense, they would stop their car in a wrong place. Is it due to car breakdown? No, just having a  having a chat with someone but he did not care whether his action obstruct or prevent free flow of traffic.



Check Your Rear View Mirror

 Use your car mirrors frequently, they are not for make-up mirrors

Make sure you have a space cushion for the motorcyclist lane.Before you turn into the lane that is closest to the left-hand curb, signal your intention to turn at least 100 feet before making the turn, this is to allow minimum two-second “space cushion” for motorcyclists to react to.

Don't enter a box junction illegally. Box junctions are designed to stop the junction becoming blocked by queuing traffic. 

Oncoming vehicles that are going straight have to avoid the car in the middle of the picture, this car should avoid enter the box junction  if his exit road is not clear.

 Make sure vehicle lights are in proper order

A motorcycle is fast approaching! Wait, Look at it again!

Always drive with your both lights on – you can see other vehicles and they can see you. It is very dangerous to drive with only one headlight working as people could think the oncoming vehicle is a motorcylist and got into an accident.  I would get that fixed that headlights working again  as soon as possible without futher ado.

When you use high-beam headlights, remember to switch to low beams  rather that your high beams so you don't blind other drivers. The high beam is to provide a long-range illumination of a darkened road and chiefly for use in driving in nonurban areas.

A picture shows a Chinese police officer making a driver sit and stare into bright lights after he was
caught driving with his high beams on. When you shine a bright light in your eye will your vision go small
 causing the driver out of focus.

Harsh punishment  meted out by the officer but as the old saying goes, two wrongs do not make a right.


Proper hazard and signal light use


 Turn signal lamp or a vehicle hazard warning should be correctly used. Sometimes you also see drivers leaving their turn signals on for mile after mile without noticing, or to turning left while indicating a right turn (or vice versa). This will sends out completely the wrong message to other driver.

Simply can't touch this without knowing its purpose.

Hazard lights are supposed can be activated only when:

1-As a general rule of thumb, is it recommended to switch on your hazard warning lights when your car stopped on the side of the road or STOPPED and not driving due to a flat tyre or motor vehicle breakdown.

2- They are also suppose to be used if fast moving traffic suddenly slow down or comes to a stop. Now suppose you are going 60mph and suddenly to avoid an accident that happened in front of you, makes you slow down drastically. You have to immediately turned on the hazard lights to warn the drivers behind you of the sudden change of speed.

3- The third reason, if you have a serious emergency situation. Transportation someone to the hospital where the ambulance transport was not available or some circumstances like you're in a funeral convoy escort as part of a funeral procession may then flash hazard lights on.

Driver recklessly cutting lanes and tailgating.


Make sure you move into the correct lane in good time. If you find you’re in the wrong lane and you don’t have time to change lane safely, carry on in your lane and find another way back to your route .


 Do not change lane suddenly by cutting in front of another vehicles, always turn on your signal and change lanes slowly.


Never make sudden lane changes by cutting in front of another vehicle may cause traffic on the lane you are entering to crash onto you. Second, it is not polite to do so and will annoy other drivers.



 Overtaking in the emergency lane.

In the event of an emergency or breakdown, a motorist can pull into the shoulder to get out of the flow of traffic and obtain a greater degree of safety.

If you need to stop your vehicles due to a car breakdown then you may used the emergency lane but you have to place the warning triangle at least 3 cars from your vehicle to warn other users that your car break down.

Always yield the left-of-way to allow fire engines, ambulances, police cars, and other emergency vehicles that are using a siren and/or emergency flashing lights to reach their destination as fast as possible.

Driving in the emergency lane is prohibited for all vehicles. Hey you're not the emergency response vehicle !

Following too close is a bad habit. As a general rule, maintain a safe distance. You should leave space between you and the vehicle in front of you. This space cushion will give you room to brake or maneuver if you need the space for emergency braking or for avoiding collision.

Funny bumper sticker to remind those who has the habit of tailgating  people, another funny
I have seen is bumper sticker on the car just ahead:
 DON'T DRIVE SO CLOSE WE HARDLY KNOW EACH OTHER.

One of the favourite techniques used by Kung Fu master to train our mind is one would never let his guard down dan expect the unexpected from your opponent.

 
What this mean never assume the other driver will not do this. For example, this driver give a signal indicator to turn on the right but at last minutes he might changed his mind and go for the left.

You see the road is clear but out of no where a car speedingly approach you.There is another explaination of this is your on the Blind side of the road and this is where many things can go wrong.

Sometimes it will be impossible to avoid an accident, be alert when another driver might leave you with a  potential exit routes when it seems like there's danger ahead in front of road.



Eating, drinking and smoking while driving  may also cause distraction.

Don't talk on the phone while driving without using headphone or headset with bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. No words ever spoken over the phone have ever been so important they can't wait till you're not in the car.

Don't drink and drive and don't ride with anyone who has too much to drink unless you want to take him home

Driving while smoking can be dangerous should the cigarette butts drop on the car seat and start fires


Many drivers ignoring the Road Transport Act 1987's stipulation that it is illegal to use handphones whilst driving because you'll lose ur concentration in driving your car. It's easy to get so engrossed in conversation that you miss exits and those attempt to drive and talk on their cell phone with one hand on the wheel will slow down.

Don't Be a Jerk: Put the phone down while you drive. Do it for your own safety, or others around you, that's when we the drivers behind you wheel get annoyed or irritated.

You should see some of the insane or psychopathic people is capable of texting and  snapped selfie while the vehicle is in motion. Not to mention, how some motorcyclist able to receive telephone calls while motorcycling.

The front car turn left from the right  turn lane in front of traffic when the light going straight turn to green.
 Just to suit his own convenience a little faster to get ahead of the traffic he would  cuts lane dangerously. What a Jerk!

GOD send SMS to motorcyclist , "Do you value your life?"

Road safety education is considered an essential component of teaching children.

Parents have the primary role in their child's development in ensuring that early childhood period that children develop their basic values, attitudes and safety training by educating them to be a careful and responsible driver for the future.

Picture this scenario: Their  children see their father doing this. They observe his habits,  do not wear safety belt in all the times, likes to drive the vehicle weave in and weave out of traffic and  have no disrespect on the roadways.

The parents is to lead by example of what not to do on the road. Its well known that the children will follow what their parents action, whether they did it knowing their children watching or unkowingly influencing them.
Many years ago before my  brother-in-law children get a driver's license,  while he was driving he will point out  as a defensive driver who anticipates potential dangers is key to safe driving. This will in future their learning  knowledge and skills and learn how to integrate them into driving appropriately methods.

There are others parents who do  involved in educating their children's on road safety. In fact, what I detest about some parents is to let their young children using their motor on the road. Some of them even use it as a transport to school.   Do these school children have a valid driver license to legally operate a motor vehicle and what about the school and the council doesn't seem to be doing anything about it?

So, in this case the government should enact laws highway that can impose fines on parents  who allow their children to drive / ride without a valid license and helmet.

Imagine if an accident occurs ,who is to blame?

Road dirty, need to improve on cleaniness

Uncivilsed road user who dump their rubbish while driving on the road , deserve to slap with a hefty fine. Most annoying when it comes to fruits season.. Yeah you know those donkeys after eating will throw the fruit seeds on the road. Oh say can you see it's the fruit season, how do I know? Just observe on the road there will be littering with rambutan, durian, langsat etc..

Goods transported by lorries- you see them carrying dangerous things like wood or timber or stones. I wouldn't want to get too close if I were you. You never know when those things will drop when applied emergency brakes.

 

We got debris! Just like the movie Twister you will be avoiding debris 

Other things that irriated me was the road will be dirtied by the mud on the roads.My cars will get dirty with this mud left on the road even when it has been swept. A law must be enforced on especially those in construction to have their tires lorries clean properly clean before leaving the main road.

 Why can't trucks leaving construction sites wipe tyres before they track muddy ?The US commercial drivers throughout the United States are required to have body, fenders, frame,
 undercarriage, wheels, or tires shall be cleaned of debris before driving on a paved public highway.

Wheel-wash stations to remove contaminants mud from all truck wheels before they leave the construction site

I would prefer one day the Malaysian Road Transport Department (RTD) can accomplish it this way when instead of just giving those graduate to a full driver licence, why not in order to obtain this license, you'll need to attend a licensing ceremony . They will come to some sort of graduation ceremony where  men and women who take their oaths in this ceremony swear to be a considerate road users and  willing to abide by all traffic laws and regulations.

Okay, there are some say that talk is cheap but some do take swearing seriously.

Anyway, I believe that most of us after getting their a valid driver license they often showing disregard some traffic laws learned from driving school.

You can say after passed it seems we have  a pair of horns growing out of our head and become a  devilish driver. Okay I might be guilty becoming one of them.. I promise to trim a bit of those horn before grown longer.

Are you ready for the afterlife?

From the Buddhist point of view, death is a natural part of life which we will all surely have to face sooner or later, whether we like it or not.

The First Noble Truth of the Buddha's teaching is that all beings must experience the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death. It is unavoidable regardless of whether royalty or commoner, rich or poor, strong or weak, death is a man's final destination.

The First Noble Truth- Buddha as a wandering monk, had learnt that all people have one thing in common.

The Lord of Death (Yama) holds the wheel of life, the unenlightened cycle of birth and death (samsara).

There is a process that happens after death which all living beings are caught in an endless cycle of rebirth. Until we stop that continuation, there's continual samsara, continual  repetitive cycle until you make it through your life cycles to Nirvana.

 Those from Bad karma binds a person's soul (atman) to the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and leads to misfortune in this life and poor conditions in the next life.

In Western culture,  if someone's time is up then it's up and the grim reaper will come after them.  No matter where you run, no matter where you hide - you can't cheat death. Just like the horror movie,  Final Destination..No one can outrun death. It will catch up to all of us eventually.

The concept of an angel of Death has existed in many societies, like this Korean Grim reapers taking souls to the afterlife.

Why I bring up the sobering subject of death is because as the older you get, the more fragile you understand life to be. A few months before I went to visit a friend at the hospital who underwent heart bypass surgery and his appearance is quite normal. Not all stories have a happy ending though. A few months later, I received the unfortunate news that my buddy has tragically passed away.

 Is Our Lifespan Determined by God?

You ever heard someone refer to ‘an untimely death’ – we say in the case of someone who has died in their younger years. The deceased has died ahead of their predetermined time – died early.  Most people would  think as it is normal when you've grown old and die but not died young.

My friend died an “untimely” death. In his mere 30's, there are so much of things or goals he may want to achieve, dreams he want to fulfill and life experiences. Like watching his 3 years old daughter grow up or to made the long-awaited trip to Taiwan. All I could think of is that, in the words of  a song by Michael Jackson, "Gone Too Soon".

God is sovereign over our lives. It is God who ordains our lives, the time we are born, and the time we die. (Eccles 3). In fact our appointment with death has already been made, and we should abide by his appointment.

Death is a reality that we can't avoid, and without early-warning signal,  death can strike anytime. Start by doing what's necessary and before it's too late.

Here are some popular steps that should be on everyone’s list.

1. Find something to enjoy about every day and as if it was your last, some day you'll most certainly glad you did. You may have something troubling you but this doesn't stop you from a walk in the sunshine, hugging your spouse or child, or having a good laugh with a friend.

 Chinese Proverbs - Even if the sky falls on you, there is a hole you can escape from.

Charlie Chaplin wrote one of the most meaningful song ever written to

  all those feeling depressed

2. Make a bucket list or a wish list of to-dos before you die.  Most people have compiled a list of things they want to do or places they want to see before your demise. My friend can make up only travel wish list as her bucket list next destinations.

I had few things in my mind to add to my bucket list, one of them was to try to learn to play drums. I will never see myself attempting something wild like bungee jumping or jumping out of a plane.

3. Sign documents to protect you and your family. Everybody needs a will , you should start planning  earlier than you might think.
If you die without a will or living trust, state law will determine how most of your belongings are distributed, and the the proceeds may not go where intended.

 A Will provides peace of mind – you know that your estate will pass to the people to help ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes.

4.  By planning ahead, you can protect your loved ones from unnecessary suffering upon your passing. Do the right thing through nominating and updating your nomination, your family members can be secure of receiving your EPF savings without any  hassle in the event of your death.

Keep a certified copy of your beneficiary nomination form, just incase they screw up

5. Life is so short and  passes away like a flash of light ,  so give your loved ones a hug and take every opportunity to tell friends and family how much you love them as we never know.

 As the child grows and develops, the mothers had a very difficult time bonding with their babies. Provided a close mother-son bond, starting from the earliest days and continuing into a man's adult years.

 Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines has a unique way of respecting their elders through performing salim, for example when shaking the hand of older persons, such as parents, grandparents and teachers. The youngsters are expected "kissing"  the right hand of an older person when you greet elders.

Children are taught to respect their elders.  You usually see the school children kissing the hand of their parents hands and most noticing when their parents drop them off at school. Good customary practices can help to build strong bonds of love and respect alive.

Some people don’t say 'I love you' to their parents at all. Others don’t say it often enough.  I do believe that spending time with your parents is important to keep your relationship with each other strong.  Some children has failed to establish  a close bond with its parents and would feel like a total stranger.

6. Planning your funeral- Well, maybe it's too early for some but you might as well plan ahead because you never know when your time is up . It's never too early to start planning. By expressing your own wishes, you may be able to save your survivors of the guesswork entails as they try to figure out what type of arrangement suits you well.

You do not wish to delve into the details but you may lets others know your preferences.

- Grave marker by having unique epitaphs on you head stone really makes them more interesting.

 My favorite epitaphs include, "I told you I was sick"

- Arrange for religious services- It caught us all by surprise when my friend  memorial service was held in Christian funeral practices. This is his secret.

- Consider cremation? Why not go green?  It requires no casket, no embalming, and no land use. Ashes take a small amount of space to keep. My friend says he will opt for a cremation when his time comes. It will further saves time if his ash urn kept at home,  this saves travel time when All Souls' Day is honored and observed. Some people choose to keep ashes at home to feel closer to the deceased. Would you keep the ashes of someone incinerated in an urns inside the house, but it is a bit creepy, isn't it?

- Make a list of everything you wish to included in your services.

a- Write your own obituary. You can give it your own personal touch and you can usually avoid         the boring stuff.

b- Personal letters to your family and friends, you can ask someone to deliver after your demise. Nowadays you can compose a message now, but schedule it to be sent later your Outlook Emails.

c- Select your favourite music or songs for your funeral service. One of the songs that I have on my mind is "Leaving On A Jet Plane" but don't know when I'll be back again".
d- Choose your favourite photograph you like to have on headstone photo. I might as well  to have my portrait photo taken for just this purpose every few years. You'd like to present your best capture moment of photo portrait don't you?

e- Audio or video recordings and video messages to be released and played after/during your   funeral. Perhaps you can end your speech using famous last words, you can use Lord Nelson last words, "Thank God I have done my duty". 

f- As technology advances and becomes an ever-present part of our lives,it is becoming more and    more apparent that one day the funeral home service would provide the the idea of holography.   Hologram technology offers a 3D likeness that can move and speak as if the person were really present. The deceased individuals will record a personalized holograph message that can be delivered to their families after they pass away.

Norman Osborn hologram deliver a speech after his death

While some may choose to live on through unending challenges struggle to survive but some people may feel intensely sad or hopelessness, as if there is no other way out and wants to end his or her life.

On Aug 11, 2014, the world was shocked to learn of the comedian Robin Williams suicide. His death makes no sense. The first things that goes through my mind is how could this happen to him? He has everything a man could want—fame, fortune, and adoring fans.

We will always remember him for his warmth, his humor, smile, laugh and always look very cheerful on the outside but unknown to us inside of him, he  lived a sad life.

Mork Signed Off For The Last Time. RIP, Robin Williams. Nano Nano.

Robin Williams was suffering from the early stages of Parkinson's disease at the time of his death, his wife says. Just a lesson in life, no matter how much money and fame he had it all but if health is at stake doesn't bring a happy life. Oh well, you can't win 'em all.

Thus bringing the facts that a person may feel happy on the surface but on the inside suffer from mental illness. An important reminder that we must give support to those who suffer from depression and need to treat as serious as other diseases.

When patients are asked to hear the truth when 'breaking bad news', most people  typically go through the Kubler-Ross  model, or the five stages of grief.

Denial ( This isn't happening..this isn't real, this is not suppose to happen)
Anger ( Why is this happening to me? Why me?)
Bargaining ( I'll be good... I promise, I will be a better man)
Depression (I honestly don't care whether or not i die)
Acceptance (Come what may, I'm ready for it)


We are in control of our destiny but have little control over our fate.  Our fate is sealed. The best way is not to fight fate but  accepting your fate, let it workout itself and take as it comes. Just like the song says "Whatever will be will be. The future's not ours to see. Que Sera Sera What will be will be."

Alternatively, you can drown in your own sorrow by getting drunk but it won't change a thing. All you get is splitting headaches after morning.

We can't help it but to think he should be more thankful for the gift of GOD bestowed upon him. He was in the early stages of Parkinson's at the older ages.  It's normal to feel sad and to have anxiety because of this but he can't stomach the thought of it.

Parkinson's  disease is not fatal and do not shortened life expectancy. However, there is no cure and we do not know of any way of slowing its  progression. Some of the better know Parkinson's victims include Michael J. Fox and Mohammed Ali.  Fox was only 30 years old when he was diagnosed. While the former heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Muhammad Ali at the age of 42 was in apparent good health till he discovered having the same disease.

Muhammad Ali the best boxer of all time
 known for his witty phrases like 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.'

Both  have displayed courage, Muhammad Ali is not giving up the fight and Michael J. Fox battled with the disease himself since the early 1990's. After crossing the charity marathon finish line, saying, "I'm still standing." He was obviously referring to he refuse to give in to the disease and let it overtake his life.

I particularly love this great  motivational quote that will give you the drive to never give up and never give in!

The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”

~Rocky Balboa~

Rocky Balboa, the popular boxing character created by Sylvester Stallone

As long as you do not give up there's hope that someday there will be a cure,  may God let this be true.

Robin Williams once said, 'death is nature's way of saying, your table is ready.' Hey, ‘the table was prepared too early' and caught everybody by surprise.

Life is an open book chapter that will not knowing when the end will be. Just recently, one early morning when I was on my way to work, a factory bus suddenly swerve to the left. Next I heard a loud pop that sounds almost like a gunshot. One of the tires busted. Luckily the  bus driver  managed to keep the bus under control and bring it to a stop before it tipped into a drainage ditch.


I dare not say what will happen if the bus was at the back of my car at the time?  Fortunately, nothing terribly happens as I escape a possibly fatal skid situation. Thank God, I'm Safe!

 For this time being, I take a rain check on my table. Some things are in our control and others not. Next time, I may not be so lucky, I try to live my life without regret...so that when the time does come I would not say "Hey, wait a minute, I'm not ready yet, there are many things I would still love to".

Remember…life is just a memory. Live happy and healthy lives  before you finally kick the bucket!

Water Heater Danger

Gone are the days when we had to boil the kettle just to have a bath.Once the water is boiling, we gently pour a kettle full of hot water and mix with the cold in a bucket.It's widely considered as a mark of luxury in the past to enjoy a warm bath.

Nostalgia, bathtime not quite the same experience as today

Nowadays in a modern or contemporary home, all you have to do is when you turn water heater on and you will have almost instant hot water coming out of your shower head.


Electricity vastly improves your quality of life. Most of the time, water heaters do what you expect them to do, that is to heat your water but you have completely ignore the hidden dangers you need to look out for. One of the dangers with a water heater is when you did not installed properly.

Defective water heaters could be so lethal to bathers. While such incidents are rare, in the wake of a recent tragedy had raised safety concern on domestic water heaters.  The mishap involving a pharmacist due to be married next year was electrocuted while using the water heater at her Segamat home.

Just about a year ago, on Sep 20, 2013  a Japanese couple was electrocuted by a faulty water heater in their apartment in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. As reported from local paper..

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said the housekeeper found the bodies of the married couple, aged 38, at around 10am on the 13th floor apartment unit.

"We believe the husband was electrocuted while taking a shower.

"His wife heard the noise in the bathroom and came to his aid but was also electrocuted," he said.

The body of the man was in the nude while the woman was fully clothed.

It is believed the water heater unit short-circuited leading to the electrocution.

Tankless water heater, also known as instantaneous water heaters, are by far the most common type used in Malaysia.Unlike conventional water heaters, tankless water heater do not heat and store hot water, you do not need to prepare and wait for the tank to heat up. The compact instantaneous systems heat the water as it is used, they cannot run out of hot water.

One thing to keep in mind when selecting a Tankless Water Heater for a two story house is you need to choose one which fitted with booster pump as you may not have enough pressure flowing from a water tank storage. Built-in booster pump, let you have an enjoyable, powerful and uninterrupted water flow.

Those water heater without a booster pump is good only for water heater's inlet pipe directly connected to the mains drinking water supply (water high pressure) and not from water storage tank.

Most instance hot water for Malaysian market come with built-in GFCI or ELCB breaker.The water heater unit when install must be connected only to a properly grounded electrical supply by a properly trained qualified service personnel.

Water and Electricity don't mix. Water carries electricity efficiently. A fatal attraction when the two elements are mixed together, it can be deadly - you could easily be electrocuted.
That's why when it is going to be rain, the life guard would ask everyone to get of the water. If your in a pool of water and the lightning struck the water you will be electrocuted.

Hence the bathroom is possibly the most dangerous room in the house.

Wet skin significantly lower our human body resistance of electric shocks. The low resistance of wet skin allowing further increases current flow to pass into the body easily which increases shock severity.

In the past people take extra precautions by installing an external Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) or RCCB outside the bathroom but these days, many instant water heater comes with the latest technology built-in ELCB and ELSD(ground fault circuit interrupter) models.




WATER HEATER ELECTROCUTION GUIDE

There are several steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your loved ones over the usage of electric water heaters.

As we all know, 50 V AC or 120 V DC can deliver lethal electrocution to people.

Therefore, it is advisable to periodically inspection test to verify the functioning of the ELCB
self test on electric water heater.

1st:  Please ensure you have heater on/off switch outside the bathroom. The switch for the heater/aircon, the amperage is 20A. A 13A plug is not good enough. The wiring also has to be rated to handle 15A, or the cables will also burn/melt.





2nd:  The wiring also has to be rated to handle 15A, or the cables will also burn/melt.

3rd:  Before buying any instant water heater make sure your water heater is equipped with an inbuilt GFCI or ELCB breaker. ELCB is basically a life saving device will trip instantaneous when in the event of a short circuit.

4rd: Test the functions of ELCB beaker monthly at least four times a year to prevent electrocution.

Here’s how you should test the GFCI/ELCB breaker:

• The first thing to do is to switch on electricity at the main switch.

Usually, there will be a TEST button on the main body of water heater.All the ELCB's are provided with test buttons.

After starting the water heater (avoid getting contact from the water), press a button marked ‘Test’ button to check operation of the tripping device.

If the ELCB is operating correctly, the water heater should stop stopped working immediately. If not, please stop promptly, switch off the electric water heater and arrange an experienced technician to inspect it. Contact the vendor about a return due to failure of safety if doubtful. (provided it's still is covered under the warranty or else please get a new one)


If someone is still apprehensive after the water heater passes ELCB test, he can always install another external RCCB at the incoming mains for water heater to provide additional safety measures.  Don't attempt to repair ELCB, employ a registered electrical contractor to check.

Ugly looking but reliable safety devices installed in older homes

The Electricity Regulation 1994, it is mandatory for all consumers to install an external residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) with a 10mA (milliampere) current leakage sensitivity for water heaters but many consumers fail to adhere to the regulation.

Most new water heaters have built-in ELCB that would cut off the power supply to the heater in the event of current leakage but still some people are not convince enough with the inbuilt ELCB water heater.

Many consumers assumed that the built-in 15mA circuit breaker was sufficient, when in fact it would not provide full protection against leakages.

The external RCCB, serves as an added protection.

The 10mA is the most sensitive RCCB that could detect even 0.01Amp of current, meaning it is able to detect current leakage speedily.


General knowledge of routine maintenance to enjoy an uninterrupted shower.

1. Just like your car, your instant water heater also needs regular tune-ups. Over time, mineral deposits can build up in your shower head. This can cause your shower head nozzles clogged and doesn't seem to be as powerful as it once. You can clean the thing by take it apart, soak it, scrub with a used toothbrush and screw the showerhead back on.


2. If low water pressure is affecting your shower head, you should look out for another obstruction in the shower hose. Most tankless water heaters have an inlet water filter. Keep cleaning inlet filter often by disconnect cold water valve then remove and clean filter. With a clean shower head filter can prevent low water volume.

Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to gently remove the screens for cleaning

3. Low or not constant water pressure can cause problem of hot and cold water out simultaneously, or unit does not work. This case water pressure should be adjusted.

4. For safety, please check and adjust water temperature before using to avoid scalding.

I didn't see it coming! Didn't see it coming!

Yes, you can be electrocuted in the shower or while on the phone if a lightning bolt strikes your house. The chances of it happening are awfully slim, but i guess - it's better to be safe than sorry. Water does does allow electricity to flow, especially a large current like lightning.

Your pipes in your house are grounded, and the lightning is looking for the fastest way to ground, to discharge. So, if it hit your house, it can go through the pipes and you could be part of the circuit for the electricity to travel.The basis of the claim is that a bolt of lightning that hits a house or building can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring and shock anyone who comes into contact with a faucet or appliance.

 "Sorry, you have the wrong number," and  "zzzzttt-zzzzzzzt"

The odds of that happen  is very slim/are slim. I do take showers while ts thunderstorming, but only if I really have to.

One last thing to keep in mind... Just when you think you have all the safety precautions you should take.

 Silly you...you use electrical switches when you have wet hands?

You guessed right, you'll know what's going to happen next

To guard against accidental shock, get one of this plastic shock protector

So don't let your guard down by not paying attention to safety even for a moment.... Stay alert and you won't get hurt. One of the precautions might use it to save your life someday.