No one would be willing to live without electricity in their homes, even though it would ensure that there were never any safety hazards related to it. So instead, consumers rely on electricians to keep their home’s electrical systems operating as safely as possible. But it is also essential for homeowners to remember that there are many safety tips that they need to follow to avoid creating electrical hazards that could result in a life-altering or life-threatening electrical incident.
Electrical Safety Tips
Most of the people living in the community, if not all of them, have grown up with electrical service in their homes. And that familiarity can lead to taking electricity for granted. However, when we forget that electricity also holds the potential for severe injury, we can get complacent, and often, someone ends up getting hurt. The following tips will help ensure that everyone in your home understands and respects electricity’s benefits and potential hazards.
- Only One Device Per Outlet – Overloading outlets is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners can make. Plugging a power strip or multi-plug adapter into an outlet is asking for an overload and potentially an electrical fire or shock hazard in your home. Understand that several outlets in your home are wired together, and adding multiple devices to a single outlet could create an issue with all the other outlets on the circuit. If you need more outlets in a room or part of your home call, a licensed electrician to safely install more outlets rather than resorting to the unsafe practice of using power strips.
- Damaged Electrical Cords – Never use any device that has a damaged electrical cord. That frayed, cracked, or partially cut cord could result in an electrical fire or a life-threatening electrical shock. Replace the cord or the device to avoid potential harm to your loved ones or home.
- Added Safety For Appliances – The most reliable way to protect appliances and electrical devices from damage is to unplug them when they are not in use. This simple step eliminates the potential for a power surge or spike to damage or destroy these expensive items. In addition, it can help to lower your electric bill as it will also be eliminating phantom electrical use from these devices that sip power even when they are turned off.
- Keep All Electrical Devices Away From Water – Most of us have some electronic device in our hands all the time. But it is important to remember that electricity and water are a deadly combination. So be sure that you are keeping your phone and other devices away from water when they are charging. And if you have outlets in moist areas of your home like the bathroom and kitchen, make sure they are GFCI outlets for added safety for you and your loved ones.
- Ensure Proper Ventilation- All of the electric appliances in your home require adequate air circulation for cooling. Be sure to allow the proper amount of space around items like your clothes dryer, refrigerator, toaster oven, and coffee maker. Any item that creates heat needs to have adequate airflow around it to prevent the item from overheating and starting a fire. If any appliance feels overly hot, turn it off and unplug it to avoid a life-threatening electrical fire in your home.
For more tips on electrical safety or for an inspection to ensure that your home is safe for you and your loved ones, call (915) 221-8214. The licensed electricians at Secure Electrical Contractors have decades of experience assisting customers in increasing the safety in their homes.