5 Safety Tips from a Professional Electrician
Safety is a priority for everyone. To feel safe and secure, many of us take precautions every day. We are conditioned from childhood to ensure that we are as protected as we can be. You may hear the common expression “safety first” ringing in your ear whenever you carry out an undertaking with the slightest chance of harm.
The best electricians in Philadelphia recognize the importance of electrical safety. Given how modern society is organized, the average person now spends a large part of the day indoors. As such, we are constantly surrounded by appliances, outlets, and machines. While most of these items are safe to use, it is important to be prepared for the worst. To facilitate you, we’ve compiled a list of 10 top safety tips when dealing with electricity:
1. Smart Outlet Management
Monitoring your outlets to ensure that they are safe to operate is a key feature of general electrical safety. It is also not particularly hard to make sure that the outlets in your home are appropriately managed. Some good practices to observe are as follows:
- Do not connect too many appliances to a single socket. This will overburden it and stress the electrical system. If you want to protect yourself and your appliances, limit the number of connections to an outlet.
- If multiple appliances have to be connected to a single outlet, you should confirm that there is only one high-wattage appliance among them. Connecting multiple high-wattage electronics to a single connection can cause serious trouble down the line.
- The condition of the outlet can offer hints into whether it is safe to use or not. If it’s hot to touch, has scorch marks on the surface, is damaged, or missing faceplate, it indicates that you should not use the socket until it has been looked at by a professional.
- Power strips are a popular electrical accessory, but it is important to note that they do not change the fundamental principles mentioned above. Connecting multiple appliances doesn’t suddenly become okay just because there are more ports. The power the outlet can provide remains unchanged.
- If you’re in Philadelphia, contact our team which includes some of the best electricianswho have years of hands on experience.
2. Remove Unused Appliances
Even though it is one of the simplest tips to follow, many people still ignore this very basic suggestion. If you’re done using a device or appliance, turn it off and unplug it. This is just good practice to follow if you wish to reduce any potential hazards around the house. Imagine how you would feel if the reason for your loss was something that you weren’t even using. By the same token, if a power surge damages something you need a lot but weren’t using at that particular time, you wouldn’t enjoy it. This tip not only protects you from unnecessary damage and safeguards your appliance from power fluctuations but also reduces phantom drain. A phantom drain could be increasing your electricity bill.
3. Keep Appliances and Outlets Dry
Not that anyone needs any reminding, but just in case you’d forgotten – electricity and water can wreak havoc if combined. It is crucial that you keep anything that requires water or the use of water away from electrical devices and outlets. Furthermore, when working with anything electrical, it is a good idea to keep your hands dry to avoid electrocution.
4. Practice Proper Appliance Care
When deciding on a place for an appliance, you should select one that isn’t already congested with other devices. You should also avoid boxing it into a closed space, such as a cabinet. When in use, electronics need room to breathe, especially those that convert electricity into heat energy. If an electric device does not receive proper circulation of air, it could overheat and become a fire hazard.
Another important component of appliance care is regular maintenance. This becomes even more important when it comes to devices that have a fan attached to them. The exhaust fan helps the device stay cool and ensures proper air circulation. If it’s not regularly cleaned, the accumulation of dust could cause the fan to get jammed. A jammed could result in the appliance overheating and potentially cause a fire.
Additionally, you should read the user manual for any new device that you purchase. This is to ensure that you are operating it correctly. There’s a reason manufacturers include it in the box. While you may feel like you know what you’re doing, it is best to go through the guide once to avoid accidents.
5. Pay Attention to Cord Safety
Another key facet of appliance management is cord management. You should practice good cord safety practices at all times, especially when dealing with high-wattage appliances. That means that you should never use a device with a worn-out or damaged cord. You should also never pull the cord by the wire; rather, always pull by the plug. You should ensure that the plug is properly connected to the outlet and isn’t loose. It is common practice to leave cords lying around when not in use or wrap cords around objects. These practices damage the cord by stretching it or leaving it vulnerable to tampering by children or pets. Practice good cord safety at all times.
Contact a Professional
Many potential electrical problems originate from low-quality craftsmanship. If you reside in Philadelphia, you should reach out to some of the best electricians for a consultation. Professionals like us can help secure your home and remove any electrical hazards. To know more about us, visit contact us today.