Safety Tips From A Coral Springs Electrician

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Electricity is vital to the everyday functioning of our homes and offices. We all need electricity to enjoy a hot shower or to simply charge a smart device. Mistreat your electrical connection, and you can be in real danger. With over 45,000 homes and almost 6,000 businesses in Coral Springs, sound electrical safety practices are paramount for the city’s functioning.

In this article, we get the top electrical safety tips from a professional Coral Springs electrician.

Keep Electrical Appliances Away From Water

A fool-proof guideline is to keep water and liquids at least 5 feet away from any electrical equipment. For kitchen appliances, ensure items like your kettle or toaster aren’t too close to your sink. Keeping potted plants away from electrical appliances is also a smart move. To prevent any risk of electrocution, remember to always dry your hands before using an electrical appliance.

Always Follow Appliance Instructions

We can be quick to unbox and use our new appliance straight away. This is often at the expense of discarding the instruction manual. Understanding our home appliance safety requirements will optimize the appliance’s performance and ensure family safety. If you notice even a slight shock from your appliance, stop using it and call an electrician.

Look Out For Overloaded Power Outlets

Overloading an electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical issues. It’s considered safe to plug up to three devices into a single outlet. The guideline is to ensure that the total wattage of the connected devices doesn’t exceed the outlet capacity. If you intend to plug in a high-wattage device such as a toaster, it may be wise to dedicate that outlet to the toaster. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to book an electrical inspection to ensure your outlets are all safe and compliant.

Repair & Maintain Any Damaged Electrical Cords

Over time, electrical cords can undergo wear and tear. This can pose a serious safety risk, as they could catch fire or cause electrocution. Regularly check any extension and power cords for any signs of cracking or fraying. Extension cords should never run under carpets or furniture, and should never be stapled along the wall skirting. It’s tempting to perform a repair job on an electrical cord, but this is extremely dangerous.

If you’re using several extension cords at home, it could be a sign that your home or office doesn’t have enough outlets. Your local electrician will be able to install additional outlets as needed, to help improve convenience and remove the risk of electrical damage.

Store Unused Cords Safely

It’s a good habit to store unused power cables. Leaving these lying around the house could put them at risk of getting damaged, and cause a safety risk. Extension cords should always be stored away from children and pets who may chew on them. Take care to roll up your cable correctly, preventing any cord warping. It’s best to store cords in a dedicated cupboard away from heat.

Allow For Space Around Your Appliances

Electrical appliances require adequate air circulation. Without circulation, an appliance could overheat. Appliances will each have different requirements. Fridges should always be given breathing room on all sides. Air fryers have a hot air vent that needs breathing room. It’s recommended not to operate electrical appliances in enclosed cabinets. Make sure that any gas appliances are correctly positioned according to safety rules.

Beware Of Bathroom Safety

If you have electrical outlets in your bathroom, you’ll want to consider these pointers. Firstly, ensure you have CFCI outlets. These come with added safety measures to prevent an electric shock. Next, don’t use electrical devices such as a hairdryer near water in your bathroom. It’s best to opt for cordless appliances to reduce any electrical risk. As you can see, it’s best not to use electrical devices in your bathroom to eliminate risk.

Know Your Electrical Panel

Your electrical panel is the first point of call in an electrical emergency. It’s important to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various breakers on your electrical panel. Know the position of your outlets, lights, AC unit, and water heater breakers. By doing this, you’ll be able to de-escalate an electrical emergency. If any further work is required on your panel, it’s best to leave this to an electrician as these panels are complex. Remember to always call the professionals in the event of an electrical emergency.

Childproof Your Outlets

If you have children, investing in childproof outlets is highly recommended. Children naturally have inquiring minds that could lead them to explore an electrical outlet. The best way to prevent risk is to arrange some outlet covers. These block access to the outlet and keep your family safe.

Don’t Forget About Outdoor Outlets

It’s easy to focus on our home’s interior while forgetting about any outdoor outlets we may have. These are as important to maintain and protect. During hurricane season, your outdoor outlets could be at risk of exposure to driving rain. This is why outdoor outlets should have a waterproof cover or housing. Chat with your Coral Springs electrician about getting your external outlets weatherproofed.