Electrical safety is a big deal. It can be the difference between life and death, so it's important to take precautions when working with any electrical equipment. Appliances we take for granted and use daily, like kettles or TVs, can cause great damage to us and our homes if mistreated.
Fortunately, following a few simple rules can eliminate common electrical hazards such as electrocution, fires, and explosions. Keep reading, and we’ll provide you with the most important tips to protect yourself and your home from the dangers of electrical hazards. This is so you can continue to enjoy the amazing benefits of modern electrical appliances without the stress.
Our Electrical Safety Tips
Keep water away from electrical sources
We should all know that water and electricity don't mix. All appliances should be kept well away from water where possible. Sometimes we might bring our hair dryer into the bathroom for convenience or keep our kettle plugged in just a little bit too close to the sink. By doing so, we’re exposing ourselves to the risk of electrocution, and effort should be made to ensure all appliances are kept away from water, regardless of how inconvenient it may be.
Sometimes appliances use water, like washing machines or dishwashers. In these cases, ensure they're installed by professional electricians and grounded properly. A trained domestic electrician will also keep electrical cords away from all plumbing pipes so they don't come into contact with each other accidentally.
Don’t overload extension cords
We’ve all been there. You’re trying to set up your computer or TV, but the nearest socket is just an inch out of reach, and so it’s time to employ the trusty extension cord. But how safe are these cords? And is it okay to fill all the sockets?
The key is ensuring the combined power demand of all your devices is less than the cord’s wattage rating. Most of the time you’ll be fine, but if you’re planning on running a series of how power appliances through a single cord, it's best to check the rating. This way you’ll protect yourself against potentially blown fuses or electrical fires.
High-wattage appliances, such as hair dryers, heaters, or kettles, should never be plugged into the same extension cord. Additionally, you should always avoid ‘daisy chaining’ multiple cords or combing different extension cords and multi-socket adapters.
Ensure electrical lines are properly installed and managed
Over time connections may come loose or wires may be damaged. As soon as you spot anything wrong, you must contact your local electrical services or a local domestic electrician. Loose or exposed wiring poses an immense risk for electrical fires, meaning the sooner you get it sorted, the better.
A trained electrician will be able to:
- Check for loose connections and damaged wires.
- Ensure visible wiring is properly installed, with no frayed or worn insulation.
- Check power points for broken or loose screws, missing plates, and damaged plugs.
- Make sure switches are in good working condition.
- Turn off appliances when not in use. This seems obvious, but many people don’t turn off appliances when they’re not in use. They might leave the TV or computer on overnight for convenience. Turning off inactive appliances is so easy to do, and it will save you a lot of money on your energy bill, as well as potentially save your home, and even your life from an electrical fire.
Don't ignore the warning signs of an electrical problem
You should constantly be on the lookout for some obvious signs of electrical problems around your home. If you notice any of the following problems, contact your local electrical services immediately:
- Smoke or sparks coming from sockets, switches or light fixtures.
- Sockets that don't work even when you plug in a lamp or other device.
- A burning smell comes from an electrical item such as a lampshade or wire insulation.
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Charred or discoloured sockets
Get in touch with a fully certified domestic electrician
The electrical system in your home is a complex and delicate network and it should be treated with the utmost care. If you notice any damaged or loose wiring in your home, are thinking about installing a new electrical device or notice any warning signs, you should contact your local electrician immediately.
If you’re located near Brighton, Portslade, Hove, or Peacehaven, get in touch here and we’ll send out a fully qualified domestic electrician by calling us on 07935923323.
