Electrical Safety Tips Around Your Home

As well as providing light, heat, and keeping your appliances running, electricity also presents one of the biggest hazards in your home. The danger can come from poorly installed sockets, ungrounded appliances and poor maintenance. By following a few simple electrical safety tips, you can keep yourself and your family safe and ensure that the lights don't go out.

Do not overload the system

Be careful when using extension leads. If you plug several lights and other electrical items into one socket, there is a good chance it will become overloaded. This creates a fire risk and also increases the chance that you will suffer a complete loss of power when the circuit breaker trips.

Use the correct bulbs

You should ensure that any bulbs are the correct type for the particular light fixture you are using them in. Using the wrong type of bulb can place strain on the electrical circuit in your home and lead to the bulb and light fitting overheating, creating a fire risk. Ensure that all bulbs are securely fastened in place. If a bulb begins to flicker, you should change it immediately rather than waiting for it to blow. A blown bulb can cause circuits break plunging your property into darkness.

Check the condition of electrical cords

Electrical cords play a key role in transporting electricity around your home in a safe manner. However, it is vital that you check the condition of electrical cords in your home for signs of wear, tear and other damage. If you discover a damaged electrical cord, you should not use the appliance it is attached to until it have been fixed or replaced. When unplugging appliances, you should grip the plug rather than pull on the electrical cord. Pulling on the cord can easily damage the wires inside.

Be cautious of power lines

If you are working at height in your yard, you should pay attention to any power lines in the neighbourhood. Remember, you do not need to touch the power line to receive a shock, the electricity can jump and arc through the air. You should also be aware that your property may have underground power lines running beneath it. For this reason you should exercise caution when carrying out any excavation work.

If you are planning a large scale job which involves the electrical system in your home, you should call a professional electrician who will ensure that the job is completed correctly.