Be Aware of possible electrical hazards beforehand to save yourself and your home!
We power our homes with energy but many times fail to practice electrical safety unknowingly. Home electrical fires or electrical related accidents are dangerous and shouldn’t be ignored at all costs. This article guides you over essential electrical safety tips that will ensure you and your home are well protected from possible electrical hazards!
Potential Causes of Electrical Fires at Home
One of the prime causes of electrical accidents happens due to old or damaged wirings. Also, substandard electrical equipment including cords, plugs, lamps, light fixtures, transformers and more such power supplies lead to electrical shocks or sparks.
If any device or appliance gives even a little electrical shock, then avoid using it immediately and get it fixed by an electrician or replace it. Also, one of the common electrical dangers takes place with the frayed extension cord. Avoid using extension cords with visible wear and tear over them and go for quality cords that offer maximum safety.
Another common electrical hazard that can lead to serious injury or death is an overloaded outlet. Note that, it simply takes a few minutes to blow the fuse and can cause unimaginable damage. So it makes sense to replace the old fuses with new ones, instead of repairing them again and again.
It is crucial to get help from an electrical professional or expert to fix home electrical-related problems. Clear your doubts and queries about electrical outlets and appliances beforehand to avoid unforeseen accidents.
Here are 10 electrical safety tips and precautions every homeowner should be aware of and must follow for home safety:
Follow the Appliance Instructions for Electrical Safety
Every appliance and electronic gadget comes with a manual that includes all the information for its proper usage. You must read the instructions to avoid any potential hazards. Understanding the chosen appliance beforehand will help you use or utilize it perfectly and add to the safety as well.
Refrain from Overloading the Outlets
Many a time we end up plugging more than one appliance into the electrical outlet and give self-assurance of safety as long as the devices are not too close to others. But overloading the outlet is an electrical hazard and can cause a certain appliance i.e.refrigerator to shut off due to overheating issues.
You can use these electrical outlet safety measures for safety:
- Avoid using extension cords, or multi-outlet converters for electrical appliances.
- Ensure that the outlets are cool to touch, include protective faceplates, and are working properly.
- Plug one heat-producing appliance i.e.geyser, cloth iron machine into an outlet at a given time
- Hot outlets should be checked and monitored by an electrician only. Shut off the appliance immediately if the outlet starts to overheat or feels dangerous to use.
Repair or Replace Damaged wires or Cords Immediately
Old or damaged power cords can lead to serious electrical challenges like electrocution and fires. That’s why all power cords and extension cords should be checked regularly to find signs of damage i.e.cracking or fraying and replaced accordingly. Also, power cords should not be fixed on the floor or under the rug or furniture. Because, power cords under the rug or carpet can get overheated and cause a tripping hazard, while cords under the furniture can damage the wires and cord insulation.
The use of extension cords daily means you may not have enough outlets in your home. Consult with an electrician and include additional outlets at corners or rooms where you use the extension cords regularly. When selecting a power cord, know how much electrical load it is capable of carrying. Generally, a cord with 16 SWG loads can carry up to 1377 watts. And go for 12 SWG or 14 SWG cords for heavier loads.
To know more about common types of electrical wiring used in homes.
Unplug the Unused Devices and Appliances When not in Use
When an appliance or electrical device is not in use, simply unplug it. It will not only save power by reducing the phantom drain (it is the amount of power a given device consumes when not in use) but will protect the same from power surges or overheating. Use smart plugs that allow for setting the power schedules for outlets.
Store Used and Unused Cords Safely to Prevent Damage
Electrical power cords when not in use shouldn’t be placed carelessly. Homes with children or pets (who may chew the cords) should be extra cautious when using or displaying wires and cords. Make sure to keep the cords away from the reach of little ones. Avoid wrapping the cords tightly as it may cause stretching of the cord and can lead to overheating. Also, do not rest the cord on a hot surface as it can damage the wire and cord’s insulation.
Keep electrical devices Away from water for Shock Prevention
As basic as it sounds, you should never keep an electrical device in direct contact with the water. Electricity and water are not a good combination. Simply follow the electrical safety rules and keep the electrical device dry and away from water for preventing damage to the appliances and also protect the user from possible electrocution and injury. Also, when working with electrical applications, ensure that your hands are dry.
Ensure to keep the electrical appliances and equipment away from sinks, showers, bathtubs, aquariums, and planters to lower the risk of electrical shocks or hazards.
Give Appliances Enough Space For Air Circulation To Avoid Overheat Issues
Electrical appliances like induction stoves, dryers, etc can overheat pretty quickly after usage and need proper air circulation. That’s why running electrical appliances shouldn’t be kept in enclosed cabinets and there should be enough space around the same for ventilation. Electrical dryers, gas stoves, etc should be placed at least one foot away from the wall for safety.
Also, it is crucial that you store flammable objects like lighters, matchboxes, and oil canisters at a proper distance from the appliances and electrical objects.
Keep the Exhaust Fans Clean To Avert Fire Hazards
Home appliances like exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom get dirty and clogged pretty quickly. It can shorten the life of these useful appliances and also build up harmful gasses that can lead to fire hazards. That’s why make sure to clean exhaust fans to avoid such possible risks.
Use Correct Wattage for Lighting Fixtures and Appliances
Every home deserves a correct lighting plan that ensures a correct level of illumination and adds to aesthetics as well. The use of right bulbs can help avoid electrical hazards. That’s why you need to ensure that all light fixtures and appliances you use have correct wattage For example, a 25 or 60 watt bulb is ideal for light fixtures. LED bulbs consume less energy and keep the fixtures from overheating.
Here are some quick tips for selecting the proper wattage for lighting fixtures:
- Keep the lighting at 40 or 60-watts. Avoid placing more than one light bulb per light fixture i.e.lamp unless there are two switches attached that allow for operating separately.
- Never mix old incandescent bulbs with LED or energy-efficient bulbs as they use different amounts of power and may lead to lights flickering or fire hazards.
- Add night lights instead of table lamps in the kid’s room if they are not comfortable without direct light sources coming into the room. Night lights provide an adequate amount of light where adults don’t get the feel of too much bright light added in the room in the evening or night hours.
Be Aware of Water Heaters To Avoid Potential Accidents
Flammable items like matchboxes, lighters, etc should be kept away from water heaters, built-in furnaces, and the alike. To keep the furnaces safe, ensure to store combustible objects far away from heating appliances. Portable heaters should never be used near to drapes and avoid tipping of the same by placing them at a stable surface.
Ensure testing the heater safety valve at least once a year to ensure its proper operation. Also, keep the area around the heaters clean and free of flammable materials.
Also read : The Best Guide For Adding Smart Lighting System In Your Home
