If you want to improve your home’s safety and minimize the chance of an accident, consider the following top electrical safety recommendations.
Electrical appliances are pretty common for everyday work. However, they come with hazards and risks that are very easy to be forgotten. Therefore, you must consider the threats and the safety of yourself and your family members. So, we have compiled some of the necessary safety precautions for your safety and wellbeing.
Electrical Safety
Electrical safety is about being aware of possible risks in and around the house and understanding what to look for and avoid. For example, domestic electrical accidents result in about 30 fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year in Charlotte, North Carolina. So, you need to ensure the safety of your house.
Cause of Electrical Fires
Electrical mishaps cause about 25% of fire-related accidents in Charlotte, North Carolina. Most of them are caused by damaged or faulty wiring. Others include some common mistakes, such as overloading plug sockets and misuse of electrical appliances.
So, how to avoid them? Here are some of the safety tips for your home.
Safety Tips
Before we start, if any equipment gives you even a tiny amount of electric shock, immediately stop using it and get it inspected by a skilled electrician. Do not fix it yourself. Bates Electric has skilled electricians for you if you reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Damaged Cables
A regular checkup should be performed on every extension and power cable, and repair or replace them if needed. It is recommended not to put cables under the rug. This may cause overheating, trip hazards, or the cable may even get crushed or damaged.
Socket Overloading
One of the common reasons for electrical-based fire hazards is overloading the plug sockets. So, when using any appliances, be sure to check if the sockets are cool to the touch. And it is also recommended to use one appliance in a multi-way socket at a time.
Keep Devices Away from Water
Water is capable of conducting electricity because of the impurities in it. Moreover, in most electrical equipment, there is a safety warning about water. So always keep your electrical equipment far from the water. Also, touching electrical appliances with wet hands can lead to electrocution. Also, if you use an electric kettle, be sure to unplug it before filling it.
Keep Cables Secure
Electrical safety does not relate only to when the cables are used. When not in use, keep them safe. It is recommended to avoid wrapping wires around things since this can cause them to strain and overheat. Additionally, never place an electrical wire on a heated surface since this can cause damage to the cable’s insulation and wiring.
Unplug Unused Appliances
Unplugging appliances when they are not in use can be a great way to save electricity (and money). It is also safer to do so. However, a plugged-in appliance still consumes power even in standby mode. So, to avoid power surges or overheating, it is recommended to turn them off and unplug the sockets. If the sockets are in a hard-to-reach area, you can invest in an energy-saving extension bar or a smart plug.
Air Circulation
Electrical equipment needs space for air circulation to keep it cool while it runs. Without this, it may overheat, causing a fire hazard. Therefore, avoid stacking items on top of electrical appliances, such as microwaves, and avoid running electrical equipment in cabinets. Additionally, if you are using a heater, keep it at least a foot away from the wall.
Regular Cleaning
Specific equipment like exhaust fans can get really dirty and clogged. Clean them regularly to keep them energy efficient and also decrease the risk of potential fire hazards.
Heater Safety
It is common sense to avoid keeping combustible things away from a heater. It is also recommended not to use portable heaters near curtains and put them on a stable and level surface.
Check the Fuse
It is easy to replace a fuse on a plug, but you need to use the correct one. Because using the incorrect fuse may cause a cable to overheat, leaving the device vulnerable to electrical problems.
Avoid Duplicate Products
Be cautious of products bought outside of the country or imported from other countries since they may not always meet national safety requirements. Most importantly, stay away from counterfeit electrical products, which are a major source of electrical shocks and fires. This also applies to batteries and chargers. Instead, purchase only genuine chargers for your laptop or phone, preferably directly from the manufacturer.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instruction
Perhaps the most important piece of advice for anybody using electrical equipment is to read the user manual. Also, using the equipment properly enhances its performance and keeps you safe.
Child Safety
Children and young kids are naturally curious and like exploring almost everything. Therefore, if you are a parent of young children, you should secure any unused electrical outlets with tamper-resistant safety covers. Additionally, any stray cables should be cleaned up and placed out of reach of children to prevent them from becoming tangled.
Have a Backup
It is easy to take electrical power for granted, but you will soon realize just how difficult it can be to carry out day-to-day tasks when something goes wrong. To ensure you are prepared for any circumstance, make sure you have a backup power supply on hand. One of the easiest ways to ensure you have a suitable backup at home is to invest in an uninterrupted power supply. This will provide power when the main power fails in Charlotte, North Carolina or if the voltage of your mains electricity drops too low.
Even though electricity is everywhere, inappropriate usage poses a significant threat. Therefore, whenever you use electricity, be sure to maintain all safety precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. Also, regular checkups with skilled professionals can keep you safe from potential accidents.