Safe Use of Electricity 

Mastering Safe Use of Electricity: Staying Shock-Free 

Electricity is a necessity in every home. However, everyone needs to recognize that the possibilities of electrical hazards are high when care is not taken. The power flowing through electrical wires is dangerous enough to burn through tissues when one overlooks the safe use of electricity. 

Every year, tens of thousands of electrical fires occur in homes around the U.S. Electrocution and severe injuries are part of these electrical accidents. You can avoid these accidents by following simple rules on the safe use of electricity. This should be employed by the entire family.

Safe Use of Electricity 

Electrical Safety Measures at Home 

Have you ever witnessed an electrical fire? Most of these fires result from damaged electrical wires and faulty equipment. Light fixtures, cords, plugs, lamps, and transformers can also cause electrical fires whenever a fault occurs. As such, you must examine your electrical connections and appliances for damage that could cause fires. 

Here are eight rules to follow for the safe use of electricity at home:

  • Follow Appliance Manufacturer’s Instructions – The easiest way to avoid an electrical fire is to read appliance instructions. In there, you will see warnings and tips to keep you safe. To understand instructions on appliances for the safe use of electricity, you should understand safety and warning symbols. 
  • Avoid Overloading Outlets – An overloaded outlet generates enough heat to start an electrical fire. When using an outlet, ensure that it does not get hot during use – if that happens, switch off the outlet and later reduce the number of devices plugged in. Even better, install a smart plug that monitors power loads from an outlet and switches the outlet off when there is a power surge. If you have several appliances, contact an experienced electrician to add several outlets to your home. 
  • Repair Appliances and Electrical Cords – Avoid short circuits at home by repairing damaged cords and broken appliances. A damaged cord can start a fire or cause electrocution. Check for signs of cracking and fraying and replace the cords or repair appliances immediately. 
  • Unplug Appliances Not In Use – When you leave an appliance plugged in even after use, they risk overheating and causing a fire. A power surge may also occur, resulting in an accident. 
  • Keep Water Away from Electrical Outlets – Water conducts electricity. As such, you must keep water away from electrical outlets and dry electrical equipment. This will not only prevent shock but also protect appliances from damage. Ensure your hands are dry, and keep electrical equipment away from aquariums, showers, sinks, and other areas with water. 
  • Provide Sufficient Ventilation Around Appliances – Most appliances will heat after prolonged use. However, sufficient ventilation around the appliance significantly reduces the chances of overheating to prevent overheating and electrical fires. 
  • Check the Wattage You Use for Lamps and Lighting Fixtures – You need about 40 watts for most lighting fixtures. However, you can go up to 60 watts safely. Again, for the safe use of electricity, you should only have one bulb per lamp unless the lamp allows for two installations. Again, you must avoid using classic incandescent lights and newer energy-efficient lamps together. These bulbs have different power needs, and mixing them can cause flickering or even cause an electrical fire. 
  • Contract Professionals for Repairs – It may seem easy to DIY through an electrical repair project at home. However, you void your home insurance if an electrical fire results from the repair. Electrical wiring and repairs can be a risky job. Safe electricity use starts with recognizing that most electrical repairs are best left to professionals. 

It would help if you kept learning about the safe use of electricity. As new appliances come into the market, the rules for using devices keep changing. Because children are naughty, go for wireless devices that ensure the safe use of electricity for children that play with power cords. 

Safe Use of Electricity

Safe Handling of Extension Cords and Power Strips 

Extension cords come in handy even as the number of wireless devices increases. To ensure the safe use of electricity, observe these simple rules with cords and power strips:

  • Do not run electrical cords under carpets. Cords under carpets and rugs are a tripping hazard, especially in heavy traffic. Even worse, cords can fray or develop cracks from constant traffic. Avoid electrical shock by placing cords away from carpets.  
  • Inspect extension cords and power strips regularly to discover damages before they exacerbate. If you notice damages on cords, replace them instead of using tape to cover the frayed areas. 
  • Avoid Overloading extension cords with several appliances or plugs. Overloading a power strip can lead to overheating, short sparks, and a fire. 
  • Always pick the right cord for your appliances. For instance, if you use outdoor appliances, use weatherproof extension cords.
  • Use the right cord length for appliances without doubling up to ensure the safe use of electricity. Connecting to the short cord to achieve the proper length is tempting, but that can cause overheating and increase fire risks. 

Electrical Safety and Energy Efficiency

Electrical Safety and Energy Efficiency 

Do you want to lower your utility bills while still observing the safe use of electricity? You can do so with a few tips:

  • Go for a Smart Plug: A smart plug connects to your electrical outlets and remotely to your smartphone. With it, you can turn off devices not in use, even when you are away from home. Even better, you can create a schedule for different devices and let the plug switch them off after a given duration. Smart plugs can detect when an appliance starts to overheat and send you a notification so you can switch them off remotely. Even better, the plugs can track a home’s energy usage to help you identify appliances that use a lot of energy so you can manage your utility bills. If you want a device that makes your work easier while saving money and keeping you safe, go for a smart plug. 
  • Install LED Light Bulbs – LED light bulbs are great for energy savings. However, these bulbs are also safer for your home. Unlike incandescent light, these bulbs will rarely heat up. You can have them in different color temperatures depending on what you need in your home. LED bulbs are long-lasting compared to traditional incandescent bulbs so that you will enjoy great value for money. 
  • Embrace Home Automation and Smart Devices – Smart devices are standard in most homes. These devices enable you to remotely manage your home’s safety and energy efficiency. Devices such as smoke detectors, smart thermostats, and smart lights are energy efficient and safer. A smart device will switch off when not in use, thus reducing the risk of overheating. Even better, some of these appliances and devices can self-diagnose and alert you when a fault needs your attention. 
  • Teach Children About Safe Use of Electricity and Efficiency – Staying safe and enhancing efficiency when using electricity is a collective responsibility. As such, your kids knowing what to do in different situations will keep your home safe. 
  • Install Electrical Safety Devices –Electrical safety devices are God-given when you have kids at home and must keep them safe. You can start with AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters) breakers that protect you in case of an arc fault. From there, go for grounded outlets that ensure you are safe from shocks at home. Next, you need GFCI outlets (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) which protect you against shock in wet areas in your home. If you have defective appliances in your kitchen, bathroom, or basement, these devices shut off the circuit when there is a ground fault. You may also need a tamper-resistant outlet if you have a curious child. 
  • Regularly Inspect Your Electrical Connections – Routine home maintenance will help you catch electrical faults and damages on appliances before they worsen and cause fires. An inspection by an experienced technician will also reveal areas in your home that need improvements to make the home more energy-efficient. 

Safe Use of Electricity 

Teaching Children Safe Use of Electricity 

Electricity is dangerous if not handled well. Your children may need to be made aware of the potential dangers of electricity, and it is your responsibility to teach them about the safe use of electricity. Children are curious, and if left unsupervised, they can mess with electricity. Here are simple steps to protect them:

  • Learn with Them – Children will love watching electricity safety videos with you. It motivates them and shows them the seriousness of electricity safety. Children get so excited when they learn or discover new things – make them discover electricity safety. Search for educational videos on YouTube, read books, engage them in projects at home, and teach them how electricity works. Your child will understand the dangers of electricity the more they learn.  
  • Set Electricity Safety Rules – It is easier to teach than set rules, but because kids are curious, rules come in handy. When it comes to safe use of electricity, you can set rules such as:
  • Do not throw balls into power lines 
  • Do not climb any tree near a power line  
  • Avoid touching electrical outlets and equipment with wet hands
  • Always ask for help when using new or unfamiliar appliances 
  • Keep electronics and appliances away from water sources  
  • Do not put any object into electrical outlets 
  • Avoid playing near transformer boxes outside the house 
  • Do not yank extension cords when unplugging them
  • Talk to Children When They Are Young – Toddlers can learn not to play with electricity. They should know that touching electrical appliances can cause them harm. Education should be continuous – at every stage in their growth, teach them something new. 
  • Make the Home Safer for Children – Although you can teach your kids everything they need to stay safe, they remain curious. As such, installing safety devices and ensuring no faulty appliances and fraying cords around the house will keep them safe. To do that, you need to inspect your home to identify any safety hazards. Toddlers love playing with cords (and eating them) and putting items in electrical outlets. Get to a toddler’s level and see what they will likely find when crawling. From there, maintain and repair electrical appliances so there are no damages to cords. After that, ensure that all wall outlets have covers so the little ones cannot plug in their fingers or other objects that can cause accidents. Any device that ensures the safe use of electricity will protect your little ones. 
  • Be an example to your kids on the safe use of electricity. If you insist children have to switch off appliances not in use, be the first to switch these off. Children will follow suit, and your home will be safer. They will imitate what you do, so you need to help them discover the best safety practices. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

  • Is it safe to leave appliances plugged in when not in use?

It is common to experience power surges at home. The surges are not dangerous to most of your appliances, but in the long run, the surge can cause damage to your appliances. Most electrical appliances perform poorly when plugged in for long periods. To ensure the safe use of electricity, do not expose them to damage by leaving them plugged in when not in use. Even better, you could save up to 10% of the money you spend on utility bills when you unplug appliances not in use. As you do so, you extend the lifespan of your appliances and devices. 

  • Can using a cell phone while charging cause electrical hazards?

No evidence shows that using a cell phone while charging can cause any dangers. Sometimes, your phone might give you an electric shock while charging due to leaking alternating current. However, the potential difference is low; you will never have any serious injuries from the shock. However, the phone might heat up when charging, and you should not leave it near your skin or under the pillow when sleeping. 

  • How can I test if an electrical outlet is grounded?

You need a multimeter to protect your home from faulty ground and ensure safe use of electricity. To test, take the multimeter’s black probe and place it on a metal part of the appliance you need to test. Place the red probe on the wire you need to test and take ground reading. If the multimeter shows a low resistance, then the wire has proper ground. However, if the resistance reading is high, then the ground is faulty. A faulty ground can cause electrical fires along walls. It may cause arcing and sparks, which result in an electrical charge that can cause a fire. Even worse, ungrounded outlets can cause electrocution. 

  • What should I do if I notice sparks or strange odors from an appliance?

Sparks and smells of burning rubber indicate that you must contact a professional to repair electrical problems at home. However, the first step is to switch off the appliance and the electrical outlet on which the appliance plugs. This will stop the flow of power to the appliance and stop the sparks. Unplug the appliance from the power source and check if problems are affecting the outlet, as these might spread to other appliances connecting to the outlet.

Later, you need to inspect the appliance for any signs of damage to determine the cause of the sparks. Call a professional to inspect the appliance and outlet further and address the possible cause of the sparks for the safe use of electricity. 

  • Is it safe to plug multiple devices into a single power strip?

It is not safe to overload a single power strip. A power strip can power a maximum of six devices, but it is advisable to keep the number of devices low to avoid overheating, which can cause a fire. Some devices should never go into a power strip to ensure the safe use of electricity. These include coffee makers, microwaves, refrigerators, toasters, slow cookers, air conditioners, sump pumps, and hair care appliances. These devices need more power than a power strip with several devices can provide. You will know the power strip is overloaded if it starts to heat up. 

Conclusion 

Is the electrical system you use at home hazardous? You need to go for products with UL certification to use electricity safely. Having the right appliances and electrical systems will guarantee your safety and make getting home insurance easier. As a rule, always go for modern appliances and electrical systems with UL certification and contract a licensed electrician to handle all wiring tasks.

When searching for an electrician, check for the needed permits and licenses, and ensure the best candidates have all these. Before work commences, confirm whether you need a permit. After installation, the electrician must regularly visit your home to inspect the system and appliances for damages to protect your home from a possible fire outbreak. 

Electricity safety is the first step in keeping your family safe and at peace while at home. Your family still needs protection from other dangers, such as gas leaks, and fires disasaters that can interfere with your home’s electric wiring. 

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