Electricity is one of the essentials of modern living. Every day, you use electricity. You use it to operate your appliances, lighting, entertainment, and other technological gadgets. And because it’s such a common part of your daily lifestyle, some would often forget how powerful and dangerous electricity can be. But it’d be worth noting that electricity can pose safety risks to everyone in the household or even the entire community when not handled or treated correctly.
According to research, about 1,000 deaths are reported yearly due to electrical injuries, wherein 20% of the injuries occur in children. Another source also stated that approximately 358,000 house fires happen every year due to electrical malfunction. Hence, properly handling and treating your home’s electrical system can help prevent deadly electrical accidents, keeping you, your family, and your property safe.
And so, here are a few electrical safety tips homeowners must remember when handling or dealing with their electrical systems and electronic devices.
1. Consult A Professional For Regular Inspection
You don’t need to wait for an electrical malfunction before consulting a professional. Experts recommend that homeowners have their electrical systems assessed and inspected at least once every year.
Depending on where you live, you can call on the professionals from your local area, such as the expert electricians in Ipswich if you’re in Australia or other states. They’ll check your home’s electrical system to see if all the wires and outlets are functioning correctly. If they detect any minor electrical issues, they’ll repair them immediately to avoid costly and dangerous problems in the future.
2. Follow Appliances’ Instructions
Each electronic appliance has its own safety tips and instructions on how to use it at home. As such, read these instructions carefully before using the appliances to understand and learn how you should use them safely.
In addition, if one of your appliances gives you a slight electrical shock or shows a spark when plugged into an outlet, stop using it and call an expert electrician to check it for potential problems.
3. Watch Out For Overloaded Outlets
One of the root causes of household electrical problems is overloading outlets. Some people tend to overload their outlets with multiple devices, appliances, and extension cords, especially if they use them simultaneously.
However, overloading your outlets can cause the circuit breaker to trip, cutting the whole circuit’s electric flow. And with no circuit breaker, the circuit wiring will overheat, melting the wire insulation and causing electrical fire accidents. Electrical fire incidents can put your family, home, and neighborhood at risk.
To avoid the risk of electrical fires from overloading outlets, here are some tips to remember when using your outlets:
- As much as possible, avoid or limit using multi-outlet converters or extension cords for your appliances. They should be plugged directly into an outlet.
- When your outlets feel warm or hot during use, unplug all the devices and have them checked by an electrician.
- Only plug one heat-producing device in one outlet at a time.
- Use smart plus to help you monitor outlet power loads and automatically shut them off if they overheat.
If you think your outlets at home are insufficient, hire a licensed electrician and discuss a plan to expand your home’s electrical capacity and install more outlets. This process may take time, but it’s a much safer option than relying on extension cords.
4. Keep Electrical Appliances, Devices, And Outlets Away From Water
It’s a known fact that water and electricity should never mix. But sometimes, some people tend to overlook this fact in daily situations. For example, you may forget to hang or store away the washing machine’s plug after use. The plug could be left lying on the floor, where water from the machine could easily spill. Once the plug is soaked with moisture or water, short circuits can happen, causing the wires to heat up and start electrical fires.
Thus, ensure you keep all your kitchen appliances and devices safe and away from any source of water (e.g., sink, toilet, aquariums, bathtubs, etc.). Furthermore, when you need to plug in an appliance or device, ensure that your hands are completely dry.
5. Unplug Unused Appliances And Devices
The simplest electrical safety tip many tend to forget is unplugging unused appliances and devices. Some people have this mindset wherein after using, they won’t unplug their appliances as they’ll use them again later on. Others may also fail to unplug their devices simply because they forgot.
However, failing to unplug your devices can cause higher electric bills. Even if the device or appliance is turned off, it’ll continue to extract electricity from the outlet. And in some cases, plugging your appliances for long periods despite not using them can cause overheating or power surges.
To help all the family members practice unplugging unused devices, you can place signage at every outlet in the house to remind them to unplug after use. Better yet, you can set power schedules for every outlet, so everyone will know which outlets are only available for use in a particular time slot.
6. Dispose of Damaged Extension Cords
Regularly inspect your extension cords for any sign of damage, such as cuts, frays, burns, or cracks. Defective cords can cause surges, sparks, and electrical fires. So, if you see any damage on your extension cords, get rid of them properly and replace them with new ones.
Conclusion
Many of you are working or spending more time at home, using your electrical appliances and gadgets. Thus, everyone in the household should know basic electrical safety tips to prevent dangerous electrical issues or injuries. Using your electricity correctly can also help you save on your utility bill. And if you suspect any problems with your home’s electrical system, don’t hesitate to hire a licensed electrician to solve the issue.
Author’s Name: Ms. Louise Odom
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