7 Useful Tips for Electrical Safety at Home

​Electricity plays a part in our everyday lives. From blow-drying our hair to cooking our favorite meal, it’s important to practice electrical safety at home to ensure we’re protecting ourselves and the ones we love.

1. So Many Appliances, Not Enough Outlets

It seems like everything nowadays needs some source of power. But what do you do when you realize you have 4 appliances and only 2 outlets? Each outlet in your home is designed to provide a certain amount of electricity. By getting too overzealous with the number of appliances you plug in, you could unintentionally cause a small fire or explosion. If you must plug in more appliances than you have outlets, use an energy-saving power strip.

2. Be Knowledgeable of Where You Place Your Appliances

There are certain appliances that generate more heat than others. This includes items like clocks, televisions, and computers.In order to protect your home as well as those in it, be sure to give these appliances good air circulation. This means you should avoid covering them with clothes or items that might trap the heat.

3. Know Your Home’s Age

For the safety of your home, it’s important that you know just how old it is so you know the age of the electrical system. Each year, you should schedule an electrical safety inspection. Older homes aren’t equipped to handle the type of electronics we rely heavily on today. It will give you peace of mind to know your homes electrical system is up to date and ready for whatever you bring its way.

4. Protect Your Children

Kids are curious. It’s a fact of life. But their safety should never be compromised in the one place that’s supposed to keep them safe.Be sure to install tamper-resistant caps to all the unused outlets in your home. This will ensure that their small fingers stay far away from those strong volts of electricity. It’s also important to tie up any loose cords that might be tempting for them to pull on.

5. Check the Health of Your Cords

Every so often, you should do a diagnostic check on the health of your electrical cords. Check for any cuts, rips, or tears that could interfere with the safety of the appliance. If the cord is damaged in some way, refrain from using it until you can get it repaired or are able to replace it.

6. Keep Them Dry

It might sound like common sense, but you should always keep your electrical appliances dry. Refrain from using them with wet hands or around any type of liquid. This could pose a safety hazard to you, those around you, and your home.

7. Keep Things Tidy

It’s easy to get in a rush and leave cords in a tangle on the floor. To avoid an accident, keep the area around all your appliances as organized as possible. This includes wrapping up cords when they’re not in use or storing smaller appliances when finished using them.

Practicing Electrical Safety At Home

While electricity has made our lives more enjoyable and easier, it doesn’t come without its risks. Knowing the dos and don’ts of electrical safety at home will ensure you protect yourself and those you love. Read more about common electrical problems you might experience in your home and what to do to fix them.