Information on Electrical Safety

There are many issues pertaining to electrical safety.

Ensuring a home is electrically safe is an important step homeowners must take. There are a few common areas of the house that require attention to electrical safety. By addressing these issues to create an electrically safe house, homeowners can put their minds at ease.

Trees

If there are trees near a home's outdoor electrical posts, have branches cut back, or consider having the city remove the tree and replant it in a safer spot. This will remove the risk of falling or dead branches getting tangled in the wires, which can sometimes happen during storms or high winds.

Plug Covers

Plastic plug covers are one of the most important tools for a home's electrical safety. These plugs are placed into the socket of an electrical outlet and prevent kids or pets from sticking items into the openings. Plug covers can be purchased at many types of stores, like hardware shops or general stores.

Kites

Kite flying is an innocent pastime, but can be hazardous when done near electric wires. For the most safety, only let children fly kites in open spaces like parks or beaches. In a neighborhood, even if the child isn't close to an electric wire, there's still a chance the kite will blow into one.

Electrical Appliances

Make sure small electrical appliances are unplugged when out of use. Items like toasters, coffee pots and blenders can remain unplugged at most times, and should also be pushed far out of reach. Keep these items pushed up against the wall, as far away from the edge of a countertop as possible.

Bathroom Safety

The bathroom is an important area in which to pay attention to electrical safety because the use of water in the bath and sink can create some dangerous situations. Make sure electrical items like hair dryers and curling irons are unplugged when out of use and stored safely in a drawer. Also, if there are any electrical plugs near the floor, consider having an electrician move them, as they can be a hazard in the event of a flood.

References

• Electrical Safety at Home: Love to Know