One of the most important lessons any homeowner or resident can learn is how to stay safe around electricity. Winters Electric is proud to help by supplying our five top tips.
- Keep Water Away from Power: Electrical hazards often occur in the bathroom, where water and electric sources are both present. Be sure to dry your hands before plugging in small appliances like hair dryers and curling irons, and keep both away from sinks or tubs.
- Never Daisy Chain: Plugging one extension cord or power strip into another is a risky practice known as daisy chaining. Though power strips in the US typically have circuit breakers, more connections in a daisy chain mean you’re increasing the heat energy traveling through each circuit. In addition, you’re also increasing your potential for starting a fire.
- Run Extension Cords Safely: Extension cords are a great way to route power from an area with electrical outlets to an area without them. However, running extension cords across the room instead of along the wall can cause a tripping hazard, potentially causing falls or damaging the wires inside the cord. Similarly, running cords under rugs or carpeting can cause them to overheat or encourage trampling, both of which can damage the wires.
- Repair or Replace Damaged Electric Items: If an item you use regularly suffers any damage, it can be tempting to continue using it until it stops working completely. Avoid this urge at all costs to avoid the much more serious issue of an electrical shock or house fire. If you notice exposed wires or overheating, stop use and take the item in for repair or replacement.
- Never Overload Outlets or Circuits: Overloading outlets and circuits around the house is a common issue in American homes. This can mean plugging too many things into one outlet or not paying attention to the wattage on a lightbulb. Overloading an outlet can produce a large amount of heat, melting wire casings, exposing bare wires, and upping the risk of an electrical short or fire. Similarly, overloaded circuits can trip your breakers to avoid overheating and fire, causing an interruption in service.
At Winters Electric, we believe that prevention and protection are important steps in avoiding potentially dangerous electrical issues. For more information about avoiding electrical safety issues, contact us today.