Athough there are a number of different safety precautions that you should follow when working with electricity, there are several basics that must always be adhered to when working on any type of electrical system. By following these basic safety rules, you can keep yourself protected while also preventing damage from occuring to your home.
Safety Tip #1: Always Shut Off the Power
Before you begin to work on any electrical project, you need to first shut off the breaker so there is no electricity flowing through the circuit you will be working on. Never talk yourself into thinking that you are working on a simply job without much risk and never convince yourself that you can manage to do the job without allowing certain wires to cross. After turning off the circuit, you might want to post a sign on the breaker box so no one comes along and flips it back on. Or, you may want to lock the panel so no one can tamper with it while you work.
Step #2: Verify the Power is Off
Even if you are certain you have shut off the right breaker, always verify that the breaker is actually off. You should never trust the diagram or schedule written on the breaker box, as these can be vague and changes may have been made without being updated. Rather, use a voltage tester to make sure the circuit is turned off. If you don't have a voltage tester, you can use a radio or lamp to see if the circuit has any power. Just make sure the lamp or radio is turned on so you get accurate feedback!
Step #3: Never Touch Metal
Metal is also an excellent conductor of electricity. If you touch a live wire while also touching metal, you will increase your chances of gettign shocked significantly.
Step #4: Don't Work on a Wet Floor
Electricity travels easier through water, so you should never stand on a wet floor when doing electrical work. In fact, it is best to lay down some dry boards or a rubber mat to stand on while you work. Similarly, you should not work on an electrical project if you are wet.
Step #5: Avoid Service Panels
It is important to note that the large wire entering the electrical panel from the outside will still be live, even after you shut off the breakers. Therefore, you should never touch these wires and you should not use a metal ladder when working near them. If these wires need to be worked on, it is best to contact an electrician or to take some electrical courses so you can learn how to properly handle these wires.
The most important rule for children is not to stick anything into electrical outlets. For small children under four years of age, you may want to purchase electrical outlet covers. These accessories are small plastic covers that plug right into the outlet so that any spare plug-ins are covered. For older children over five years of age, you need to explain to them that electricity is dangerous and that by sticking objects into outlets can cause them to get electrocuted or possibly start a fire.
As well as electrical outlets, you should also teach your children not to stick objects into appliances. These can also cause an electrical shock. Children should also not tear apart or try to fix electrical appliances. These devices are much more complicated than they look, and any short circuit in them can again cause electrical fires or electrocution. You should also teach them to tell an adult if they notice any appliances sparking or having a funny smell. Many fires are started by appliances that are continuously plugged in, such as toasters and coffee makers and your child may notice a problem before you do.
The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in your house. You should teach your child to be careful with electrical devices around water, such as radios around the bathroom sink or bathtub. They should also be careful around the kitchen sink and anywhere else where there may be standing water inside you home.
If the power should go out in the house, advise your children never to touch the fuse box. If someone does not know what they are doing, touching a 220-volt connector can cause enough electricity to seriously injure and even kill a small child.
Children should also be aware of the dangers of electricity that are outside as well. You should teach them that mud puddles are the same as the bathtub, and that they should not get anything electrical around them. They should also not climb electrical towers, telephone poles, or any other structure that has power lines attached to it. Children should avoid any contact with electrical lines, such as when they are flying a kite or a radio-controlled airplane.
Along with human-made electricity, children should be made aware of the dangers of electrical storms. These are those storms that have lightning and thunder, although the lightning may not always be visible. If the children are at the park, they should seek cover at the closest shelter or building. At home, they should get inside immediately and remain there until the storm passes. Many children are fascinated by lightning storms and may forget how dangerous these forces of nature can be. Adults are just as guilty of this fascination as children. Many adults have been struck by lightning on golf courses and other areas where they should not have been during a storm, while others enjoy sitting in the backyard in metal lawn chairs to watch the sky. Again, adults and children alike should remember that lightning can be deadly. Seek shelter and remain inside until the storm has passed.
Electricity is responsible for many of the conveniences that we enjoy in our every day life. It is also important to teach your children to respect it as the powerful force that it is.
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