If you want to prevent electrical accidents from happening in your home, you should be able to identify the hazards that can cause them. This article lists down some of the most common electrical hazards that you should know.
Poor Wiring
One of the most common electrical hazards that you should be aware of is poor wiring. Qualified electrical contractors suggest that you have the wiring in your home inspected annually, particularly if your home is over two decades old. Make sure to only engage with reliable and reputable electricians because they are the ones who are in the best position to tell you whether there is anything that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Overloaded Power Strips
Another common electrical hazard that you should know about is overloaded power strips and outlets. As much as possible, you should not plug several high voltage devices into a certain power strip simultaneously because this can lead to a fire. Keep in mind that power strips and outlets are only designed to handle a specific amount of electricity. In this case, what you can do is to go for a power strip model that features a circuit breaker because this will minimize the risk of fire.
Exposed Electrical Parts
Exposed electrical parts are also electrical hazards that can lead to fatal accidents. This can be attributed to the fact that the parts which are exposed can cause not only fire but also burns. Thus, make sure that you secure these electrical parts with the proper guarding mechanism or repair these exposed parts promptly. Even your electrical outlets should be protected accordingly.
Damaged Insulation
Like with exposed electrical parts, damaged insulation can also cause shocks, burns, and fire. For this reason, you also need to have them replaced. However, you need to make sure that you turn off all power before you do the replacement. You should also never cover damaged insulation with electrical tape. Rather, it is better to get in touch with a certified electrician to help you address the problem.
The Bottomline
The electrical hazards listed above are only some of the ones that are common in most households. Some others include wrong wattage light bulbs, as well as leaving your appliances plugged in near water sources. When you are aware of the electrical hazards in your home, you will be able to exert the best effort to prevent them from leading to fatal accidents.
