May 16, 2017 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler
In a recent post, we talked about common causes of electrocution, and how most electrical injuries occur with little to no warning. While there’s no way to eliminate the chances of getting struck by lightning, there are simple steps you can take to minimize the chances of an electrical injury in your home.
May is National Electrical Safety Month, which means it’s a great time to make sure your home electronics are working safely. Read on to learn how you can protect your loved ones at home – and what you can do in the event of a devastating electrical injury.
6 Ways to Safeguard Your Home From Electrical Hazards
- Leave it to the experts. Even if you’re a DIY enthusiast, this is one area that’s best to leave to qualified experts. Have a trained electrician handle any installation, removal or repair of wiring at your home.
- Secure your outlets. Refrain from overfilling power outlets, and have a qualified professional repair any outlets with broken wall plates. If you have young children in your home, keep safety covers on outlets that aren’t in use.
- Make sure your plugs fit – safely. Plugs should never fit loosely, as they could overheat and start a fire. On the flip side, it is also dangerous to force a plug into an outlet that doesn’t fit. Never remove the middle pin of a three-prong plug to fit a two-prong outlet.
- Check your cords. Get into the habit of giving cords a quick inspection before plugging them in. If a cord is frayed or cracked, replace it.
- See the (right) light. Inspect the light bulbs in your home to ensure they are the proper wattage for the corresponding light fixture, and replace them securely. Bulbs with too much wattage are far more likely to cause injuries.
- Maintain your appliances and equipment. Every circuit breaker gets tripped once in a while. However, if a single appliance is responsible for multiple trips, it should be repaired or replaced. Keep an eye out for cracks or other signs of damage. Damaged appliances are dangerous appliances.
