We live in a world that relies tremendously on electricity, water hazards for electricians & homeowners. Our entire life and work revolve around electricity-powered appliances and devices, especially now, given the new circumstances. Working from home has made us even more dependent on the home’s electrical network, and it has resurfaced the importance of ensuring safety from any electrocution risks in the home.
Water hazards for electricians & homeowners can cause serious injuries, which is why it is important to identify them correctly. Below, you can find the seven most dangerous electrocution risks in the home that are often found.
Defective or Old Wiring
This is usually the leading cause of electric shock. It has the potential to cause power surges, arc faults, even electrical fires, or water hazards for electricians & homeowners. This is why it’s essential that your home wiring conforms to safety standards and that you avoid doing any DIY electrical work. To keep your home and family safe and out of harm’s way, make sure you contact professional electricians to check the electrical wiring in your home. Wiring becomes an electrical hazard when you notice:
- loose connections like electrical switches or receptacles
- worn-out extension cords or appliances
- pierced or pinched wire insulation
- overheated cords or wires
- electrical wires that have been chewed up by rodents
- cracked wire insulation due to age, heat, or corrosion.
These are all signs of electrocution risks in the home and chances are that you will need to have your home rewired when they attend for emergency electrical repairs especially if it’s an older house that hasn’t had any wiring updates.
Close to Water
Water and electricity don’t make good companions, this may cause any electrocution risks in the home. Issues like wet hands or outlets installed close to water are all hazards. Water is an electrical conductor and you need to be very careful when using appliances around it. To make sure you are not turning water into an electrical hazard, consider the following tips:
- in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as other areas that are close to water, install electrical outlets at a safe distance from water
- avoid using the radio, hairdryer, or other appliances in the bath, near the pool, sink, or jacuzzi
- make sure to dry your hands before picking up any appliance
Wet Hands
Similarly, electrical appliances should never be handled – with wet hands as this heightens the chance of getting an electric shock in your home. Yet too many of us tend to reach for the hairdryer with wet hands out of the shower. Keep appliances far away from sinks, bathtubs, showers, and taps.
Extension Cords
Extension cords should be carefully fixed, in a place where possible to reduce the chance of tripping or accident. Use plastic socket closures on unused sockets. Don’t use extension cords as a permanent substitute for additional power sockets, and avoid using them for too many appliances at once.
Lightbulbs
We don’t often think of lightbulbs as being electrical hazards, but the potential for an electrical fire arises when lightbulbs are kept near flammable materials. These can include beds, drapes, plastics, or other items such as upholstery.
Lights like all sources of electricity can also cause electric shock so ensure you always turn the light switch off before replacing a light bulb, and never replace a light bulb or touch a light switch with wet hands. Always ensure you use a light bulb with the correct wattage to prevent overheating. So, here is what you need to do to make sure that lightbulbs will not become a danger to your family or home:
- always turn off the light before replacing a light bulb
- choose the right wattage light bulb to prevent overheating
- never replace a bulb with wet hands
- keep lightbulbs away from flammable materials like beds, drapes, plastics, or upholstery
Covered Electrical Cords & Wires
Heavy covering of wires can cause the cords to overheat, which could lead to an electrical fire. Keep cords and wires away from other items and keep them uncovered.
Similarly, make sure that items like computers and televisions have enough space around them for ventilation, to prevent them from overheating.
- Never try to repair electrical appliances yourself, always contact a licensed electrician.
- Check your appliances regularly for faulty switches, plugs, and frayed cords.
- Avoid overloading power boards with too many appliances at once. E.g. If you have a heater plugged into the power board, unplug it before using the hairdryer.
- Never poke anything into an appliance while it is plugged in or in use.
- Always use outdoor grade extension cords outside of the home.
- Make sure your hands are dry before touching switches or electrical appliances.
- Before cleaning areas like the kitchen, bathroom or laundry, make sure all appliances are switched off.
Pouring Water on Electrical Fires
One of the most common errors homeowners make is pouring water over an electrical fire. If an electrical fire starts for whatever reason, don’t try to use water, as this will only fuel the fire.
It’s always a good idea to invest in a fire extinguisher and to keep it in a location that’s quickly and easily accessible. In case an electrical fire occurs, use the fire extinguisher to put it out.
Safety Rules You Need to Remember
Electricity is vital for the modern lifestyle and respecting a few safety guidelines will help you avoid turning it into a hazard, putting your home and family at risk. Here are a few, most important rules to remember:
- avoid making DIY electrical work and always contact an electrician to help you fix electrical problems
- regularly check your appliances and wiring to make sure there aren’t any faults
- always dry your hands before handling electrical appliances;
- avoid using devices in the tub, shower, or near the pool area;
- before cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, or laundry room, make sure that all appliances are turned off
Conclusion
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of death from electric shock in your home is to install a safety switch, called a residual current device (RCD). However, never try to do any electrical work on your own. If you think there are hazards present in your home, contact a licensed electrician to help you resolve them.
If you need an electrician to come to your home or work, you can call Km.electric at 0405 838 383 to book one of our professional & reliable electricians in Sydney.