Don’t Get Shocked! Safety For The Amateur Electrician

We’ve all heard the warnings from electricians before, don’t use appliances such as hair dryers near water, turn off the fuse box before attempting to fix something, don’t overload a power outlet, but how many of these do we really follow? These safety warnings are extremely important because people do get hurt or can even die if they are careless. So the next time you’re tempted to use one more extension cord, think again.

Water

Any electrician will tell you that water and electricity don’t mix, unless perhaps you’re an eel. But it isn’t only about refraining from making toast in the bathtub. It’s very important to only use electric devices with dry hands and to ensure that there is no moisture on the ground. Even a small amount can cause the device to short or can give you a mild to severe electric shock. It might even permanently damage the device you are using, which can be costly to replace. Keep your hands and the floor dry, and if it looks like you might be interrupted by rain, then leave the project for later. It isn’t worth the risk.

Broken Equipment

A good electrician checks all of their equipment carefully before using. A torn cord or loose wire can cause a huge safety hazard and ruin your expensive tools. Before plugging anything in, examine the cords and plug, looking for any fraying or unusual bends. A very tight bend can cause the wires to twist or break off on the inside of the coating. Pay careful attention to the wire that is attached to the tool as this is where there is a lot of tension and it can become damaged the most. If it all looks good, plug it in a working outlet and give it a test before using it as intended. When storing equipment, keep the cords detangled and neat to prevent the damage that can occur from knotting, and ensure it is kept dry.

Avoid the Octopus

When you use multiple devices in one outlet by piling on the adaptors, an electrician calls it an octopus. These can cause severe shocks, power outages, and burn out your equipment such as laptops or television cords. If you need more outlets, the best thing to do is buy a surge protector, which is a long rectangle that carries anywhere from three to six outlets in one strip. It has a restart button and its own on and off switch for added protection.

Turn it Off

Even before performing a simple task such as changing a light bulb, every electrician turns off the power. Why? Because leaving it on can cause a mess of hazards and can be quite painful. Go to the circuit breaker and flip the switch before you attempt any home repairs. And while you’re at it, don’t attempt repair if you don’t know what you’re doing. You can end up causing more damage than good. Call a professional electrician if you aren’t sure how to go about fixing a problem.