Since electric lighting was first used on a street in Godalming in the UK in 1881, humans have benefited from the marvel that is electricity. It helps us to live comfortable, convenient lives. We use it for cooking, lighting, heating and entertainment and it’s hard to imagine life without electricity.
But it has its risks. In fact, over 50,000 electrical fires occur in the US every year. So you need to ensure that you know all about electrical hazards to keep your home and business premises safe. Read on for our list of top electrical safety tips.
1. Keep an Eye on Plugs
It’s important to be vigilant when it comes to plugs and sockets in your home or workplace. Any sign of scorching is a very bad sign. The same applies to frayed or burnt wires on appliances. If you notice this, you should call an electrician immediately.
You should also avoid overloading a single plug socket. Plugs are designed to discharge a certain amount of energy and connecting multiple high-wattage appliances to a single outlet can be a major cause of electrical fires. If you’re not able to rearrange your appliances to connect them safely, then it might be worth installing an extra outlet.
2. Remember That Water Is a Major Hazard!
Water and electricity are a very bad combination. Ideally, you should keep any electrical appliances out of bathrooms and away from running water. If any appliances get wet, it’s critical to let them dry out before reconnecting them to a power supply.
Don’t forget, too, that a water-based fire extinguisher cannot be used on electrical fires, as water conducts electricity. Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are used for electrical fires and these are a requirement in many workplaces.
3. Educate Children on Home Safety
We all know that kids can get themselves into scrapes when we’re not looking. Children need to be educated to keep themselves safe around electricity.
Some people choose to use plastic inserts to block electrical outlets, but these can easily be removed by little fingers so it may be better to install safety plug sockets that cannot have foreign bodies installed. Be mindful of wire safety too. Dangling wires can be a trip hazard and there’s a risk that a young child could pull a heavy appliance over.
4. Have a Regular Electrical Maintenance Schedule
This is important both at home and in the workplace. You need to make sure all your domestic appliances are in good condition and that your wiring is in good shape too. If you have any doubts about anything, you should not hesitate to consult a qualified electrician.
In the workplace, electrical repairs and maintenance are essential to ensure the safety of your workforce and premises. It’s important to do your research so that you know what to expect from professional electrical maintenance in the workplace.
Electrical Safety Tips to Protect You
Now you know a few of our top electrical safety tips to protect your home and family. If you have found this helpful, be sure to check out the Tech section of the blog for more informative articles.