Electricity is an important part of our lives, powering everything from lights and appliances to electronic devices. Whilst it’s easily taken for granted, electricity is essential in our homes, schools and workplaces. Having said that, it can also be highly dangerous if it’s not used safely. That’s why people need to know how often to replace their HVAC or when to upgrade their home wiring.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 7 basic precautions you can take to prevent electrical risks and hazards wherever you are.
Use An Electrician
Many DIY projects can be hazardous, so don’t try to do the electrical work yourself. If you don’t, the wiring could be faulty and become a danger (e.g. electrocution) to yourself and others. It could also present a fire risk, whether anyone is in the building or not. If something goes wrong with your existing wiring or electrical equipment, don’t hesitate to call an electrician. They can identify and fix the issue and make sure your home is safe once more.
London, England is a highly diverse city and it’s home to 8.9 million people. The internet can direct you to an electrician operating in London who can help you whether it’s regarding domestic or commercial electricity. They can provide emergency call-out services 24/7 and help with electrical design, installations, inspections, testing, maintenance and repairs.
Know The Warning Signs
In order to take action quickly if something is wrong, it’s essential that you know what to look for. Some of the telltale signs include:
- frayed wires, leads and cables
- flashing lights
- fuses that keep blowing
- appliances that are getting overheated
- light or plug sockets that don’t work
- items that keep needing to be turned off and on again
- appliances that work intermittently
It may be that you need to replace some of your electrical equipment in order to resolve the issue. In other scenarios where it’s your home wiring that’s at fault, turn off the power and call an electrician immediately. If the issues are ignored they are unlikely to go away, and you will be compromising the safety of the building.
Don’t Get Things Overloaded
If you have too many plugs connected to one outlet, it can create a fire hazard. Power strips are devices that allow you to plug in multiple devices into one outlet. They work by supplying power to the strip and then splitting it among the devices plugged into it. This is a safer way to use many devices at once (as opposed to using several plugs and one adaptor).
It’s important to be aware of how many watts each device uses so that you don’t overload the power strip. If you don’t know how much power your device uses, there is usually a sticker on the back with this information. Most power strips have an automatic shut-off if they sense too much power being drawn from them, which can help prevent electrical fires.
Surge Protectors
They are inventions that plug into the wall and help to protect your devices from electrical power surges. These surges can be caused by things like lightning strikes or power outages. It’s therefore important to have them in place if you have expensive electronics, like a computer or TV that you need to protect.
Replace Anything Damaged
Electrical cords can easily become damaged, frayed or pinched over time. Sometimes they expose the wires so that people could get an electric shock if they came in contact with them.
Faulty cords or plugs are a common cause of electrical fires, so be sure to check yours for any signs of wear and tear, and replace them if necessary. You should be especially on the lookout for plugs that are loose or wiggling in the socket. Damaged wires can easily spark and start a fire, so it’s best not to take any chances.
Maintain Your Smoke Detectors
Typically smoke detectors are powered by a battery or AC current. They are used in many applications including homes, offices, and factories. They can either be ionization smoke detectors or photoelectric versions. Maintaining your smoke detector is important in order to ensure its proper operation.
You should test your smoke detector monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. Additionally, you should clean your smoke detector annually. This is because dust and dirt can build up on the sensors over time and reduce their ability to detect smoke properly. If you hear a beeping sound it means the battery has become low and needs replacing. If you let the battery die, you will have no warning if an electrical fire were to occur.
Keep Flammable Materials Away from Appliances
Appliances are basically heat sources, so they can easily cause fires if they are too close to flammable materials. Paper, curtains, and furniture can easily ignite if they are too close to an appliance. Keep them at least three feet away from any heating or cooling devices (including lamps and fireplaces).
Heavy furniture can easily knock over lamps and other small appliances, leading to dangerous sparks and fire hazards. Be especially careful when moving heavy pieces of furniture, and be sure to unplug any small appliances before you start.
Beware Of Water
Water and electricity create a dangerous combination. You should never plug in an electronic device when it’s wet. This includes laptops, cell phones, and other small gadgets. If water gets into the device, it can create a short circuit and cause a fire. Give gadgets time to dry out before using them again. You should never touch an electrical appliance when you have wet hands or if you are standing in water. If you have a water leak and it gets near the home electrics, turn off the power immediately and contact a plumber.
By putting these 7 basic precautions into practice, you will have a safer home, school or workplace. If you steward your electricity well it will be an amazing tool for your daily life, but if you don’t you will be taking unnecessary risks.
