Surely, we can’t live without electricity for even an hour as we have become so much depended on electrical devices, gadgets and appliances. In this blog post, we cover safety tips when dealing with electricity both indoors and outdoors, for homes as well as offices. We look at techniques through which you can make your home and office a safe heaven around electricity.
INDOORS
Our homes rely on electricity to provide us with food, light, entertainment, cooling and heating. Numerous accidents take place in homes and mentioned below are the major areas of concern:
Cords
Cords are connectors, which connect appliances to the power supply. Thus, they also need to be treated with care.
- As a temporary solution, extension cords should only be used and must be placed around the walls to prevent tripping; however, avoid keeping under carpet or rugs or any other hidden areas.
- To avert overheating, you should fully unwind cords before use.
- Always take out a cord from the wall at the power point because pulling the cord itself is dangerous.
- Strictly use extension cords for outdoor use, which are rated for outdoor use, and ensure the connections are secured from the weather.
Power Boards & Adapters
- Never overload a power board with numerous appliances and ensure it has the right amperage to support all the appliances that are being plugged into it.
- Avoid piggy-back a double adapter because it can cause an electrical fire hazard.
- To avoid overheating, make sure power boards have sufficient ventilation.
- Inspect power boards at regular intervals for signs of discolouration or blazing and replace right away when discovered.
- Always use power boards that have integrated safety devices like overload switches.
- If power boards are not in use for any length of time, always have them turned off at the wall outlet.
Appliances
- Before cleaning your appliances, you should always turn off and disconnect them.
- Check your appliances on a regular basis for faulty or defective cords, plugs and switches and get them repaired or replaced promptly. If you throw them away, ensure they cannot be used by anybody else.
- Refrain from poking anything into an appliance such as cutlery into a toaster.
- Ensure appliances such as computer monitors, televisions and refrigerators, which produce heat, have adequate inches of clearance all around for optimal air circulation.
- If your hands are wet, don’t touch any of the appliances.
- Don’t fold an electric blanket for storing it because the wires may bend or break.
- If you’re leaving your home, always switch off appliances such as air conditioners, ovens and heaters.
Wet Areas
Electricity and water don’t quite go with each other, thus, special safeguards should be maintained in wet areas.
- In wet areas, refrain from using extension cords except specially meant for such use.
- When you’re working in wet areas such as the laundry, wear rubber-soled footwear.
- In the bathroom, refrain from using portable electric heaters. Always disconnect and safely store hair dryers and electric shavers when they aren’t in use.
- To avert splashing, keep stereo systems well away from the swimming pool and/ or spa area.
Lights
Lights may appear gentle, but they are also capable of inducing electrocution.
- With wet hands, don’t touch a light switch or change a light bulb.
- Before replacing a light bulb, always turn off the light switch.
- When painting a ceiling, avoid removing the plate around the light rather mask it.
- If you’re tiling around light switches or fittings then have the plates detached by a licensed electrician.
- To avert overheating, always use a light bulb with the right wattage.
OUTDOORS
As proper care is required indoors for the safe use of electricity, similarly, precaution should be taken for the safe use of electricity outdoors.
Power Lines
Special care is required to be taken around overhead power lines since they carry huge voltages.
- Near power lines, preferably plant low-growing vegetation and get trees professionally trimmed in these locations.
- If you’re installing an antenna or raising a ladder look up and make sure there are no overhead power lines in the area.
- For any reason, if you are on your roof, remain away from the power lines that connect your home to the grid.
- Near overhead power lines, ensure your children know that they should not climb trees or fly kites.
Concealed or Covered Wires
Wires that can’t be seen at all are at a greater danger than overhead power lines.
- Detect where the electrical wires rest before drilling into walls, especially around light switches and power points.
- Before digging for any type of trench, hole or gap in your backyard, Call 1100, as there may be underground power cables.
Prevention
The best form of safeguard is prevention through which you can significantly lower the danger of electrical accidents.
- To make sure the safety switches are in good running condition, test them every 3 months.
- Never undertake DIY electrical work; it is unlawful and can result in electrocution or fires, thus, at all times, use the services of a certified local electrician in Adelaide.
- If you have older, ceramic type wire-fuses, get them replaced with new switch-type circuit breakers.
- Get safety switches or RCDs (aka Residual Current Devices) installed; they will cut power flow in one thousandth of a second in an emergency thereby shielding you from electrocution.
- To detect possible dangers, get a licensed electrician to conduct an electrical safety audit of your property.
True, electricity is dangerous and has the capability to kill; however, we can safely live around it, as there are adequate safety features and amenities for using electricity safely wherever we need it. All we need to practice is the application of common sense and instruct our children to do the same and electricity can persist to be an influential helper in every phase of our lives. Read these top tips for dealing with an electrical emergency.
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