Any major wiring projects should always be done by a professional, but there are a few minor projects you could do yourself. Even though they're minor tasks, there's still danger of electrical shock involved with them.



Usually the main risk of doing electrical projects yourself is electrical shock. However, electrical fires can also get started if you are not careful and you don't take needed precautions to keep yourself and your home protected.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe the next time you work around wiring:

To begin with, it's essential that you turn off the electricity in the room you'll be working in. Don't just turn off the wall switch: be certain that the power is cut off at the source, be it fuse or circuit.

Alert anyone in the house what you're planning to do (and keep children away from the work in progress). It would also be a good idea to place tape over the circuit switch in case someone else comes along who doesn't know what's going and tried to turn the circuit back on.

Once you get going, you need to act as if the area were still live. Be cautious and don't hurry. Pick a time for your task when you won't likely be interrupted. Mistakes can be lethal, so you need to take it slow and be meticulous about safety.

You'll want to use a fiberglass ladder, since it will not conduct the electricity. This way the ladder can absorb any electric shock that may occur. Make sure that you have rubber soled shoes on as well, which will help to absorb the electrical shock if one happens.

Use a power tester to test the wires you'll be working on. Make sure there's no power going through the wire. It's possible that you could have hit the wrong switch on the fuse box, so take that extra precaution and test the wire before working on it.

Make sure the area you're working in is completely dry. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. Use heaters to dry out the area before you start your project. Even damp patches in the surrounding area should be dried up as well.

It's important that you know what you are doing. If you tape the wrong electrical wires together, you can end up with a fire once you turn the electricity on again. Make sure that you get it right to avoid a disaster.

You can definitely save some money doing a few minor electrical tasks around your home, but be sure to take them seriously. If you think it's going to be more than you can handle, make sure you call a professional and avoid risking your home or even your life.