Electricity is the source of power in most homes, but it also poses a threat to your health. Coming in contact with electricity can cause deep tissue burns, they can knock you unconscious, and even stop the beat of your heart. A few of the greater and more dangerous electrical hazards will be explained here.
1. Electrical injuries happen often when someone operates electrical appliances with wet hands, or while standing in water.
2. Avoid using any electrical appliances directly after washing your hands, and do not place electrical appliances near a filled bathtub or sink, as they can fall in and are likely to electrocute someone.
3. Another common electrical hazard is the running of wires and cords under a rug or carpet, which makes it easy to step on and break the cord, potentially causing shocks and fires.
4. Sometimes during lightning storms, talking on the phone, taking a bath, and using electrical appliances can all electrocute you, as the electrical charge can move through the water pipes or telephone wires.
5. Make sure to always turn off or deactivate the circuit breaker before changing out a light bulb that has broken from its base, or before making any sort of electrical repair.
6. If you live in a house with small children, make sure all of the outlets have covers to prevent the children from electrocuting themselves by sticking small metal objects such as screwdrivers, hairpins, or paperclips into the open outlets.
7. Make completely sure that your house has ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) located in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor areas, garages, and anywhere else where the outlets might be exposed to any liquids.
8. Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in your house to help protect your outlets against dangerous electrical arcs, which may cause fires.
Electrical safety should be observed each and every time you think about touching or using something connected to an electrical circuit. You should always be mindful of possible electrical hazards, and know when to call a Miami electrician or emergency services.