Because electricity is so convenient in our daily lives, it's easy to overlook that electrical risks at home may represent a serious threat to personal safety. It is critical to understand how to prevent common electrical risks in the house.
In the absence of adequate safety precautions, the major risks of power at home – fire & electric shock – may be deadly.
What Are Some Examples of Electrical Dangers?
Electrical problems are a significant cause of home fires. According to the province's Injury Research & Prevention Unit, over 2,601 electrical fires in residences killed or wounded 150 people & cost over $150 million in damage in British Columbia between 2004 & 2017.
While there is always the possibility of getting burnt in a fire caused by poor electrical safety in the home, asphyxiation is a far bigger risk. Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fatality in home fires.
The other primary electrical hazard at residence is electric shock, which can result in:
- Heart failure caused death.
- Nerve damage.
Understanding the obvious risks of using electricity & detecting common electrical dangers at home can go a long way toward keeping your family & property safe – therefore here are some simple methods to prevent electrical hazards in the house from a North Shore electrician.
1. Dry Electrical Appliances
The combination of water & electricity can be lethal, resulting in electrocution. Electrical appliances should be kept free from water & moisture.
If you accidentally drop a piece of electrical equipment into the water while using it, turn off the power at the home's electrical panel before disconnecting or attempting to recover it. It is also a great idea to get the item inspected by a North Shore electrician to ensure that it is still safe to use after it is dried out.
2. Check the Safety of Your Electrical Outlets
If you have small children, electrical protection outlet covers help to prevent electrical risks in the house. These devices reduce the danger of electric shock by stopping children from inserting their fingers or tiny items such as pens and paper clips into electrical outlets.
Replace the outlets with Tamper Resistant Receptacles (TRR), which are now mandated by code. Check sockets for loosened plugs that might cause a fire or shock, & avoid overloading outlets with several adaptors and plugs.
Never remove the third prong from a plug to plug this into a 2-pronged socket. Switch out two-pronged sockets for three-pronged sockets.
3. Install the Correct Bulbs in Light Fittings & Lamps
When purchasing light bulbs for your primary lighting fixtures and lamps, check sure the wattage is correct.
A bulb with a wattage larger than the maximum wattage of the fixture or lamp might overload the wiring, increasing the danger of overheating & fire. For example, if your lamp has a maximum power rating of Sixty watts, a hundred-watt bulb would pull more electricity via the cables than it can safely manage.
To minimize overheating, make sure the bulbs are properly fastened. To remove a plug from the wall, hold it securely in place. Pulling on the cord can cause it to wear out & raise the risk of something like a short circuit, electrical shock, or fire.
4. Protect Against Electrical Surges
When not being used, turn off electrical devices such as televisions and laptops to avoid overheating or perhaps a power surge, which might create a fire and harm the electronics.
Consider employing a surge protector when your equipment is turned on - this is especially important if you reside in a region with an erratic power supply.
5. Leave Electrical Maintenance to the Professionals
Attempting to save a few bucks by performing your electrical repair is a formula for catastrophe. Because of the constant risk of electric shock, it is exceedingly dangerous to undertake DIY electrical work or rewiring.
After an unskilled electrical job, there may be a hidden hazard — flaws in the electrical wiring that might cause a flame at any time. Repairing or upgrading defective equipment on your own is potentially risky. You can hire an Auckland electrician to fix such problems.
6. Consistent Circuit Breaker Trips Should Not Be Ignored
When a short circuit, as well as overload, develops, circuit breakers trip. If this occurs regularly, it is a strong indication that something is wrong, which might lead to a severe safety hazard.
The following are some of the causes of repeated circuit breaker tripping:
- A faulty appliance.
- Old & damaged wiring.
- The circuit breaker itself is deteriorating.
Conclusion:
If you encounter a problem with the home's electrical wiring, electricity hazard inspection & risk assessment are essential for peace of mind, the family's well-being, and the property's safety.An electrical safety check from Auckland electricians is suggested at least every 5 years if your property contains aluminum wiring.
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