1. Fit smoke alarms. In the UK a domestic fire start every five minutes. Every home should be fitted with smoke alarms to protect the inhabitants against the risk of fire. Make sure that alarms are present on every level of your house, and that batteries are tested at least once per month.
2. Be aware of open flames. From fireplaces to candles to cigarettes, all open flames in the home pose a fire hazards. Make sure that all fireplaces in your household are guarded by a grill to prevent sparks escaping and that all open flames are kept away from furniture, clothing and curtains. Smoking in bed causes a huge number of house fires every year, so it's best to keep cigarettes out of the bedroom.
3. Have your wiring system checked at least once every five years by an ECA-approved provider. It's also worth having your heating system checked out on a regular basis by a reputable electricity company such as British Gas to reduce the risk of gas leaks, electric shocks and fires. Be aware of electric hazards in the home, such as faulty appliances, damaged flexes and overloaded electric sockets.
4. Keep hazardous materials locked up. Medicines, chemicals and cleaning products should all be kept in secure areas out of reach of children. Bear in mind that many cosmetic products and essential oils also contain ingredients hazardous to children if ingested.
5. Accidents also happen in the garden. Wear appropriate clothing while mowing the lawn, and keep your hands and feet well away from mower blades. Keep dangerous equipment and chemicals away from children and pets, keep tools in good repair and take care when lighting barbecues.
Finally, it's a good idea to educate children as early as possible about safety in the home. A number of websites offer games which can be used as educational tools to raise awareness of home dangers.
* Hire a professional electrician to make any improvements or additions to the electrical system. Even tasks that appear simple, such as the installation of a baseboard heater or additional electrical outlets, can be more difficult than they appear.
* If your are constantly blowing fuses or popping circuit breakers, it is time for you to contact your electrician. These are signs of electrical problems that could cause a fire. Do not take risks.
During your renovations, remember that you can avoid risks by scrupulously respecting the following tips offered by Hydro-Qu?bec:
* Do you need to hammer nails or cut an opening in a wall? Shut down the electric circuits that serve the room where you are working.
* Before repairing an electric device, disconnect it!
* The circuits of your power distribution panel should be clearly marked to show the rooms and items serviced by each circuit.
* Do you need to work in rooms containing water - like the kitchen or bathroom? Because water is an excellent conductor of electricity, you should take the required precautions:
o ensure that all surfaces are clean and dry
o ensure that your feet are dry
o connect your electric tool to an outlet equipped with a differential circuit breaker
o ensure that electric cords and extension cords do not make contact with any pool of water.
* Do you need to replace a fuse? Before replacing a blown fuse, be sure that you have a replacement fuse of the same rating, place the master switch in the OFF position, and, before restoring current, reduce the load by disconnecting a few electrical devices. If a circuit breaker pops, this same technique must be used, and the short circuit must be found.
ELECTRICITY - BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Today's life is chock full of a multitude of small repetitive acts, most of them completely ordinary, where electricity plays a lead role. Now, although "electricity" is not a synonym for "danger", it can nevertheless bring about accidents of many kinds, from insignificant to life threatening.
By following Hydro-Qu?bec's tips for household security, you will be able to avoid accidents and truly enjoy a power source that will give you both comfort and well-being.
Household Security: Remember...
* Keep your eyes open at all times. In your home, there are many sources of danger, and the possibilities of an accident wherein electricity is a causal factor are numerous. Rooms where water is present - bathrooms, kitchens - require greater vigilance because the presence of water increases the risk of electric shocks. Be careful when using electrical equipment in these rooms: dry your hands as well as possible, and do not allow any electrical appliance or tool to make contact with water.
* Do not use any electrical apparatus whatsoever - hair dryer, razor, etc. - in the bathroom if the electric outlet is not equipped with a protection system (differential circuit breaker).
* Always unplug electric cooking devices (electric frying pans, casseroles, etc.) before cleaning them.
* Always disconnect the humidifier, steam iron, and coffee machine before filling them with water.
Overloaded circuits cause headaches!
* Do you use several electrical devices? Use several different electrical outlets.
* Do you have unused electrical devices? Unplug them.
* Do you need additional outlets? Use a power bar equipped with a surge protector.
* Is your device already plugged in? Use extra caution.
* Did a slice of bread get caught in the toaster? Disconnect the toaster BEFORE removing the bread.
* Does a light bulb need to be changed? Unplug the lamp BEFORE removing the old bulb.
Both Lex7 Braxtor7 & Homeservicecontent are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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