Electrical Panel Safety: The Do’s And Don’ts

September 16, 2022 • Electrical

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The Do’s To Ensure Electrical Panel Safety
The Don’ts To Ensure Electrical Panel Safety
Electricity And The Outside Of Your Home
Staying On Top Of Electrical Safety

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Your home’s electrical system supports many electrical appliances. You may have your washing machine running simultaneously as someone is watching TV, making dinner while the dishwasher is running and, most of the lights in your home are on.

Depending on the age of your electrical system, you may be overworking the load it can carry. This is where electrical panel safety comes in. The older the home, the less load the electrical panel can carry which may turn into a safety hazard.

Here are some of the dos and don’ts of electrical panel safety to ensure that you, your family, and your home are safe.

The Do’s To Ensure Electrical Panel Safety

Make sure that you carry out regular maintenance on your electrical system. This will ensure that you don’t miss any faults that may lead to serious damage down the line when you least expect it.
If you notice any of the outlets are damaged, have them replaced. Any loose wires, or broken wires, should be fixed immediately.
Cover wall switches and electrical outlets with plates.
Alternatively, cover the unused outlets with plastic safety covers to protect your pets and small children from gaining access to anything that may be visible.
Wires should be kept out of sight and out of reach.
Extension cords should only be used in temporary circumstances. Prolonged use of an extension cord will cause the cord to wear out eventually, and this may cause harm to your equipment.
Using a surge suppressor with a sufficient number of sockets for every component is necessary, and a quality one at that.
Make sure that all your electrical devices are at a safe distance from any water source.
When working on a circuit, be sure to turn the main breaker switch off so that no one gets hurt by accident.

The Don’ts To Ensure Electrical Panel Safety

Don’t pull out electrical cords too harshly. This may cause damage to the outlet as well as the plug.
Never attach a cord to a secondary surface by using something like nails or staples. This will cause damage to the insulation.
Don’t use damaged cords, especially if you see visible wires. If you suspect that your electrical cord is a touch brittle, rather steer clear as this may cause damage to your devices.
Never attempt to fix an appliance or tool while it is still plugged in. This can cause an electrical shock.
When it comes to extension cords, don’t plug more than one cord into another. This can cause an overload of electricity.

Electricity And The Outside Of Your Home

When it involves electrical safety, you need to be aware of the outside of your home too. For example, trees growing near power lines can be dangerous in a storm. Make sure that you keep an eye on them and get them trimmed when you see they are growing a little too close.

You also want to make sure you practice electrical safety during hurricane season. When you’re working outside, steer clear of overhead electrical power lines. Even when it concerns the outside of your home, keep electrical devices away from water sources.

Be careful not to disguise any transformers or meters with paint or allow them to be covered by bushes and trees they need to be accessed quickly in an emergency, and this will only prolong the process. Don’t allow children to play near power lines or play in trees where power lines are close by.