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Tips for Electrical Safety at Home

Many electrical fires can be prevented if you strictly follow necessary electricity safety tips. In our home electrical safety checklist below, there are 10 precautions every homeowner should know and follow.

1. Always follow appliance instructions.

“Read the instructions” should be the first one of all electrical safety tips that need to pay attention to at home. Understanding home appliance safety improves both the performance of your device and your personal safety. Should any appliance give you even a slight electrical shock, stop using it before a qualified electrician checks it for problems.

2. Watch out for overloaded outlets.

Overloading in an electrical outlet is a usual cause of electrical problems. Check all outlets to ensure they are felling cool to touch, have protective faceplates and are in proper working status. According to ESFI, you can follow these electrical outlet safety tips.

3. Replace or repair damaged electrical cords.

Damaged power cords make your homes at serious residential electrical safety risk, because they are capable of causing both fires and electrocution. All power and extension cords should be checked regularly for signs of fraying and cracking, and they should then be repaired or replaced as required. It’s not right to put power cords stapled into place or run under rugs or furniture. Cords under rugs pose a tripping hazard and can overheat, while furniture can crush cord insulation and damage wires.

To use extension cords usually may mean that you don’t have enough outlets to fit your needs. Have a qualified electrician to install additional outlets in rooms where you often use extension cords. When purchasing a power cord, consider the electrical load it will carry. A cord with a load of 16 AWG can handle up to 1,375 watts. For heavier loads, use a 14 or 12 AWG cord.

4. Always keep your used and unused cords tidy and secure to prevent damage.

Electrical safety tips do not only apply to power cords when they’re in use, but also cords need to be stored safely to prevent damage.  Remember to keep stored cords away from children and pets. Try to avoid wrapping cords tightly around objects, as this can stretch the cord or cause overheating. Never put a cord on a hot surface in order to prevent damage to the cord’s insulation and wires.

5. Unplug all your unused appliances to reduce potential risks.

The simplest electrical safety tips is also the easiest one to forget.  Please make sure the appliance is unplugged when an appliance is not in use. Not only does this save you power by reducing any phantom drain, but unplugging unused appliances also protects them from overheating or power surges.

6. Keep electrical devices and outlets away from water to prevent shock.

Water and electricity don’t mix well. To follow electrical safety rules, keep electrical equipment dry and away from water for preventing damage to appliances and can protect against personal injury and electrocution. It’s important to have dry hands when working with electrical appliances. Keeping electrical equipment away from plant pots, aquariums, sinks, showers and bathtubs lowers the risk of water and electricity coming into contact.

7. Give your appliances proper space for air circulation to avoid overheating.

Electrical equipment can overheat and short out without proper air circulation, this situation can become an electrical fire hazard. Make sure your appliances have proper air circulation and avoid running electrical equipment in enclosed cabinets.  For best electrical safety, it’s also important to store flammable objects well away from all appliances and electronics. Pay more attention to your gas or electric dryer, as these need to be situated at least a foot from the wall to function safely.


Post time: Apr-20-2023