Electrical Safety: How to Ensure Your Home is Protected
It is always important as a homeowner or resident to practice optimal electrical safety.
24/12/2018
Since its first incorporation for domestic use started back in the late 18th century, electricity has been an invaluable took for society and the push into the modern age. It gives us light, warmth, and has many more functions in the home. Most people cannot fathom what it is like to live without electricity.
People rarely think about what is involved in the process of powering their home with electricity. As wonderful as this invention is for a home, there are also many risks that come with it. It is always important as a homeowner or resident to practice optimal electrical safety.
Read on to learn more about safety and how to ensure that your home is protected.
Some of the Risks Associated with Electrical Use in the Home
One of the most common risks associated with electricity in the home is the threat of electrical fires. They can cause major damage to homes as well as the people in them.
Most accidents of this kind that occur involve things like cords, wiring, plugs, and lighting. Other risks of electrical use in the home are accidental electrocution as well as damage to electronic devices if there are unpredicted surges.
Monitoring the Conditions of Your Electrical Units
A major cause for most electrical problems in the home is a direct result of damaged units and appliances. In order to make sure that your units are functioning optimally, do regular self-inspections of things around the house such as cords, outlets, and basic lighting fixtures.
Look for things that might be frayed, worn down, and loose. If you see that there is damaged materials, it is a good idea to replace them. When it comes to checking cords, make sure they aren’t across doorways and under carpets so that they don’t get damaged.
Making Sure that Light Fixtures and Appliances Follow Proper Guidelines
For all the different lighting fixtures that you use in your home, make sure that you are using light bulbs that adhere to the recommended wattage required for that instrument. You can check the sticker on the fixture with the label found on the bulb.
Another thing to be aware of is your use of appliances. Common areas with a lot of appliances include kitchens, bathrooms, and living room areas. If you have any appliances that produce heat, try to only plug one into an outlet at a time.
Hiring a Professional to Conduct Inspections
As important as self-inspections and regular maintenance that you can do are important to ensuring electrical safety for your home, it is also important that you hire a qualified professional to evaluate your home and make sure safety guidelines are as they should be.
Electrical work is complicated and dangerous, so make sure you find a certified and trained electrician to do the work. For those looking for an electrician in Perth can visit Westline’s website or conduct a quick Google search to find professionals near them.
You can also request that they add more outlets in your home. Doing this can significantly reduce your use of extension cords, which if old, faulty or damaged can cause surges and even fires.
Obtaining the Proper Insurance
Regardless of how well you prepare against the possibility of electrical damage to your home, sometimes accidents and the unexpected still happen.
Because of this, it is a good idea to get home insurance. Within your policy, make sure that electrical damage is one of the things that is covered.
Being Vigilant During Storms
If you live in an area that gets a lot of thunderstorms, you should be extra vigilant for electrical safety during bad weather.
This is because during storms, if lighting strikes your home or somewhere connected to your source of electricity, it can cause on a sudden surge that can lead to blowouts and fires. To protect against this, you may want to consider investing in a surge protector.