Electricity is considered to be a blessing from modern science. It surely is, but only if you use it correctly. According to research, more than 1000 deaths are caused each year by electrical injuries. Can you think of your life without electricity? You can’t. When you can’t live without electricity, the only way to use it without any hazards is to use it carefully.
Below are the safety measures you need to take:
Don’t Overload
A lot of the time, we tend to plug in electronics to all of the sockets in our electrical outlets. This is one of the leading causes of fire by electrical short circuits. Though the electrical outlets allow us to plug in multiple sockets at a time, we should avoid doing that.
Plugging in too many appliances at the same time can cause the outlet to heat up too much. This is hazardous because it can cause fires. Moreover, it can also damage your appliances. So, it is ideal to plugin only one heat-generating device at a time. If your outlet still heats up too much, you should get it checked by a professional.
Consult Professionals
Sometimes our inexperienced eyes fail to see the problem in our electrical system. Which can easily be fixed by a professional. It’s ideal to get your house checked by professionals at least once every six months. They can also repair any damages or faults in your appliances. If you’re looking for an electrician in Louisville you can check online for options.
Replace Damaged Equipment
Damaged electrical equipment and faulty wirings are one of the main reasons for electrocutions. Damaged or faulty installations that are connected to the electrical line can have an open flow of electricity and electrify any electrical conductors. As soon as you notice a fault in any of your installations, the first thing you should do is to get it removed by a professional, especially if you have kids or pets at home. As it could be fatal for them.
Never “DIY”
When it comes to the safety of your family, there should be no compromises. Don’t try to fix anything by yourself. Always call a professional for any of your electrical needs. Even if you think you can handle it, don’t take the risk because accidents may happen in the fraction of a second.
Moreover, you may not have all the tools and instruments you will need. Consulting a professional will ensure you the best way possible to handle it.
Keep The Cables And Wires Tidy
Often electrical cords and wires crowd up the electrical outlet. This can be the cause of many hazards. They ruin the aesthetic of your house too. Besides if you have children or pets, they can get stuck and fall.
Tidying your cables isn’t a hard task. You can easily find organizers that are designed to hold your cables in one place. You can get one of the organizers.
Keep Water Away
Water and electricity together are one of the biggest enemies. As we all know, water is an electrical conductor. So when any source of water touches electricity, the whole water source gets electrified. Touching that source of water can cause electrocution.
So, always keep your wires and appliances away from water or water sources. Maintain all the instructions on the manual for water heaters.
Allow Air Circulation
As mentioned before, overheating is one of the main reasons for fires and short circuits. Most of our appliances create heat. So it is ideal to keep them at a distance. Many people tend to keep all the electronics very close to each other, especially in the kitchen, which is harmful to the machine and can be hazardous at the same time. Keep them at a distance and allow proper air circulation. This ensures that the heat that gets generated is distributed evenly.
Read Hazard Warnings
All electrical appliances and installations have their hazard warnings listed in their packaging. Take some time and check them out. Not all devices work the same way. Most of the appliances have an optimum voltage level; make sure to find it in the packaging, and follow it accordingly.
Many accidents can be prevented just by using them as per instruction. So know before you do. You can know more about hazard signs here.
Get Electrical Outlet Covers
For some reason, electrical outlets always get children’s attention. They always tend to put their fingers in the outlets. It goes without saying that it’s extremely dangerous. They can also touch the socket or insert something to the outlets, which can result in electric shocks and injuries.
Your pets can do so as well. The only way you can prevent these is by using outlet covers. You can easily get them at your local hardware store. They are cheap and very effective.
Teach Your Children
As your children grow up, you need to educate them about how dangerous electricity can be if not used right. You should ask them not to insert their finger or anything in the outlets. Forbid them from tugging or pulling the wires. They shouldn’t handle any electrical appliances by themself. Advise them to use these under parents’ supervision.
Most important point is to keep all the hazardous appliances out of their reach and teach them how to handle these safely.
Unplug Unused Appliances
Do you forget to unplug your appliances after you finish working? A lot of us do not do so. You may think you don’t need to unplug your appliances when they are not in use. Apparently, they consume electricity even when they are not turned on. This is known as “phantom drain”.
Though it is difficult to remember, unplugging your appliances and cords can save up some energy and prevent them from overheating.
To Sum Up
When you talk about safety, more is more. The more you are careful, the more you and your family are away from hazards. As you can’t just live without electricity, staying safe, and being aware of it is the way to go. Following these tips will not only keep you tension free but will also ensure the longevity of your appliances.
Read More:
