8 Trusted Ways to Prevent Electric Shocks in Your Home

Electrical appliances are an indispensable part of the modern lifestyle. Regardless of where you live, your home is probably powered by electricity and consists of numerous electrical gadgets. Many people don’t realize how common electrical hazards are, and it is essential to have proper safeguards to protect your family from electric shocks – which can sometimes be fatal.

Electric shocks may be caused by faulty equipment, damaged wiring, or appliances in contact with water. Here are some tried and tested ways to prevent electric shocks in your home. Read on to know more –

1. Keep Appliances Away from Moisture and Water – Keeping electrical appliances close to water is hazardous. Water is a strong conductor of electricity, and people often use small appliances such as hair dryers, phone chargers, and space heaters in the bathroom. If your electrical devices are wet or constantly near moisture, they may cause an electric shock. If you must use appliances in your bathroom, ensure proper insulation and use GFCI outlets as far as possible to prevent an accident.
2. Install GFCI Outlets – GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These GFCI outlets are designed to prevent electrical shocks due to faulty connections or appliances. You can also find GFCI extension cords that detect electrical faults and shut off the power to avoid electric shocks.
3. Protect Wires & Cables with Conduits – Some environments are more susceptible to electrical faults due to damage or natural elements. For example, if you have a garden party, you may need to lay your wiring outdoors. Exposed wires are a potential hazard. Protect cables with conduits to keep them safe and organized.
4. Turn Off the Power – Always be mindful about turning off the power before working on an electrical circuit or appliance. Your home’s service panel, the breaker box, will have the appropriate breaker for the circuit you need to work on. Find the breaker and turn it off before you begin working. It will ensure that no electrical current is running through the circuit as you repair it.
5. Check for Improper or Faulty Wiring – Before using a circuit or electrical equipment, check for improper or faulty wiring for a few minutes. Do not use appliances with damaged cords, plugs, or unsuitable wiring. It could be dangerous to use such equipment as it may transfer the current to you, causing a shock.
6. Never Connect or Disconnect Under Load – When a circuit or appliance is plugged into an electric outlet and is powered on, the circuit or device is said to be ‘under load’. It means that the machine is drawing electricity from the outlet, and an electric current is flowing through its circuits into the appliance and back to the wiring in a continuous loop. If you disconnect the machine or circuit without powering it off, the electricity in the circuit may create an arc and cause an electric shock. Usually, with low-power devices such as lamps, clocks, etc., it may not be dangerous. However, with large appliances that draw a significant amount of power, such as washing machines, dryers, refrigerators etc., it is not advisable to connect or disconnect under load.
7. Use Insulated Tools – Tools made of metal are good conductors of electricity and may cause electric shocks if used for working on electrical appliances or wiring. It is best to use insulated tools with minimal metal exposure and offer protection against the live current, even if it touches the tools.
8. Beware of Capacitors – Capacitors are devices installed in electrical appliances with motors. A capacitor stores electricity, enabling high voltage current to flow through the motor when switched on. If you are working with such an appliance, always be careful of the capacitor, as it may release current even when the device is switched off.

Electrical work is nothing to be afraid of. If you use the appropriate precautions and the right tools to work with electricity – it can be perfectly safe to work with electricity. Be quick to replace or repair any faulty equipment or appliances, follow the safety tips listed above, and you can be sure to keep your home free of electrical accidents.

Author Bio

Jeson Pitt works with the marketing department of D&F Liquidators and regularly writes to share his knowledge while enlightening people about electrical products and solving their electrical dilemmas. He’s got the industry insights that you can count on along with years of experience in the field.