Whether it’s the heat wave outside in summer or chilly winds on the up during winters, there’s one thing that we always reckon during these times – electricity. We need to live with ease, but it can be threatening if one doesn’t have the caution. Electrical hazards can take a toll on the health as well as the finances of the victim.
Here are five ways to keep you safe from such situations to keep your home safe from cables.
1. Ensure Smooth Working Electrical Appliances
Most of the safe use of power ensures that electronic appliances are in good operating order for safe use. Never use a faulty or aging unit or electrical cord. Also, refrain from using a frayed or bent cord or scratched or broken connector. All equipment should have a regulatory approval label (RCM) and be serviced according to the vendor’s orders.
To safely use specific devices, clean range filters regularly. You should clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after each use. Also, inspect electric blankets for damaged plugs, wires, and plugs before every use.
2. Take Care Of Power & Extension Boards
Be vigilant how you use power stations and power plates in terms of being safe with electricity. Do not overwhelm power points using double adjustors by ‘pigging backing’ plugs in the single socket. Keep in mind that power boards are similarly significant. Connecting high-wattage devices such as thermal heaters into power panels can overheat power cables and cause a fire overload.
Keep your power points and power plates free of dirt, grease, and moisture, but do not wipe them with cleaners, detergents, or insecticides with a wet cloth or sprinkle. Extension planks should be used only as a temporary measure since most of them don’t have an earthen wire. To avoid electric shocks, plugs with three metal pins should be in the application. Since the two-core connectors don’t come with grounding, they are harmful, and one can only use them for electrical double-insulated devices.
Spreading pipes should be positioned around the furniture carefully and taped on the wall or the floor. Do not put extensions under tapestry or tapestries because they can overheat, and never put them near heaters or cooking equipment. Also, don’t try to create a long lead extension from several shorter ones or add a “switch” plug to the lead’s end to make the pins lengthier.
3. Circuit breaker and surge diverter security switches
People often mistake protection switches for circuit breakers and surge diverters, but they are very distinct. If an electric failure is present, the safety switches’ program can prevent harm by shutting electricity off automatically. They control the current flow and turn the power off within 0.03 seconds if they sense an error.
Many security switches have a 30ma test button and are usually there as a safety switch. The safety button is in print on them. Safety switches are a different protective form for circuit breakers and fuses. Still, they do not prevent or protect all cables and electrical equipment from electrical shocks.
By contrast, circuit breakers will protect your property from short circuits and current overloads when the power point is in surplus, which, in turn, might be the result of an illumination attack. Both circuit breakers and surge switches do not serve as safety switches to protect against an electric shock.
4. Electricity & Water
You should avoid direct contact with water and electricity in your home or anywhere to stay safe. Electrical appliances shouldn’t be operational near your swimming pool, bathtub, or any other place with plenty of water. Electrocution via water can be fatal, given the reduction in insulation. The resistance also increases to the body if you are barefoot and have wet skin.
After use, all portable electric appliances such as shavers and hair straighteners should be switched off. Extension lines shouldn’t be in use in wet zones (unless explicitly designed for this purpose) and always wear rubber or plastic sole shoes when operating electrical appliances in laundries, outside, by the poolside, or on concrete floors.
5. Maintenance of Electricity At Home
Home maintenance is vital to keep things in good shape. Keep the electrical wire always free, make sure that every metal stack has a ‘rubber foot,’ and keep the flexible cord well away from the blade when using electrical trimmers or lawnmowers.
If they have been frayed or damaged, never attempt to repair some loose or breaking power cords. No matter how small the job is, never be tempted to perform your electrical work. It’s illegal & fatal. It takes years for a licensed, competent electrician to get into the habit of working around electricity, so let them do their job.
Also, not just knowing the ways to keep your home safe from electricity is not enough. You should also be aware of the warning signs that electrical devices signal before any hazardous event.
Electric System Hazard Warning Signs
- The light flickers
- The foul odor of heated up plastic
- Hot switch plates and outlet covers
- Showers and flashes of spark
- Buzzing and sizzling noise
Conclusion
This article briefs electrical safety and how one can avoid maximum damage by taking some precautions. Electricity can be wisely used for our betterment. If someone’s reckless with it, then they might face the consequences.
