6 Ways To Avoid Electric Shocks In Your Home

Electricity is the silent killer: you can’t see it, hear it or smell it, you won’t know it’s there until it is too late. Maybe you would get lucky and get away with a nasty shock – literally – but maybe you won’t be quite so lucky. Whenever you go to do anything around your home that involves the electrical supply – THINK SAFETY. Let’s have a look at some common sense precautions you can take.

1. Be Aware: Working with an electricity supply can be dangerous, especially if you don’t take even the most basic of precautions. As already stated electrical shock can not only severely hurt you but it can also kill you. There’s no rush, take your time to think through what you plan to do and how a shock might occur. When you rush to get started, there is a more opportunity of an accident happening.
2. Switch It Off: The most obvious one and often overlooked – after all you’re only going to change something minor aren’t you. Always switch off the power to the part of the house or circuit you will be working on. No power = no risk = no shock.
3. Check It: You have switched it off, but have you? Did you get the right circuit breaker or fuse, are you absolutely sure? Once you have isolated the circuit, check it, it only takes a minute or two. Never assume that the circuit is off – it’s not unknown for them to be labelled wrongly.
4. Working At Height: If you are working above chest height you are probably going to use a step ladder of some description, most ones you buy for the home today are made of aluminum – an excellent conductor of electricity. Do you have a wooden ladder somewhere you could use instead or a plastic stepping box?
5. Wet Locations: Water and electricity don’t mix very well, if you come into contact with an electricity source and your hands are wet the severity of the shock you receive will be increased. If at all possible avoid using anything electrical in a wet area, if you can’t avoid it then take precautions. Rubber gloves and boots will give you a lot of insulation and reduce your risks.
6. Residual Current Device (RCD): {Also known as Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) and Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB)} if you are working outside or in wet conditions you should always use one of these inexpensive devices. They are designed to detect current leakage of as little as 6 milliamps and those for general use are designed to trip immediately with a maximum reaction time of 200 milliseconds. If you required RCD testing, you should visit thelocalguystestandtag.com.au
7. Warning Labels: Make sure that you read them, they are there for a reason. Also take a pen and a label with you, when you turn the power off leave a notice that you have done so. There’s no point in taking all of the above precautions only to have someone come along and switch the supply back on because they didn’t know what you were doing.

Hiring in an expert Electrician gives you peace of mind, and you will know for certain there are no nasty shocks around the corner. Check the local area for a recommended tradesman and sleep easily at night.