6 Electrical Hazards Around Your Home That You Should Take Note Of

6 Electrical Hazards Around Your Home That You Should Take Note Of

What electrical hazards around your house should you be taking note of?

  • Curious children
  • Misused extension cords
  • Large appliances (after experiencing abnormal electrical surges)
  • Outdated wiring
  • Covered electrical cords and wiring
  • Overheating light bulbs

 

One of the first things you need to do to acquire a safe home is to get all of your electronic needs from a trusted electrical company in the Philippines. Finding them could be tricky. But there are signs that you can always look for. For instance, you can check out the testimonials left by satisfied customers on their website. Better yet, look for products that have been properly tested and certified.

The next thing you need to do is maintain the good condition of these products. Unless they could withstand water (such as GFCI outlets), don’t place them in areas that are prone to moisture. But you probably already know this, together with a handful of tips that you need to follow when it comes to these electronic devices.

However, there might be a couple of things that you overlooked that you definitely must take note of. Continuously ignoring these things could lead to serious accidents. To help you out, we named some of these items below.

Curious children

Curious children

Children are naturally curious. There’s only so much that parents can do about this. However, this doesn’t mean that you could no longer educate them about the risks of playing with electricity.

Use their curiousness into opportunities for you to teach them how to properly handle electronic devices, if they must. As much as possible, encourage them to always seek a grown up’s help when handling them.

If you have smaller children, it’s better to store all of your electrical devices into hard to reach places. By doing so, you won’t worry that they’ll end up playing with them.

 

Misused extension cords

In the Philippines, extension cords are a great addition to your house especially if you often need extra outlets. They also come in handy during times when you need to use an appliance outside of your house. However, they could pose as an electrical hazard if they are misused.

Some homeowners like maximizing their extension cords. They would plug in as many devices as they can into the cords. But this could actually lead them to malfunction which could, later on, cause a fire. Although you can use all the plugs in your cords, you shouldn’t do it for a prolonged time. Remember, extension cords are not a permanent substitute for power sockets.

Large appliances (after experiencing abnormal electrical surges)

Large appliances (after experiencing abnormal electrical surges)

On their own, appliances are not really a threat. However, when an electrical surge happens, they may become extremely dangerous. When the voltage of a certain electrical current fluctuates to abnormal levels, it can greatly affect your appliances, sometimes causing them to shut down. Other times, they overload and become a threat to anyone who touches them.

To prevent this from happening, invest in an Automatic Voltage Regulator; it will help protect your appliances. AVRs ensure that your appliances will receive the accurate amount of voltage, whether or not there is a fluctuating electricity flow.

 

Outdated wiring

If you’re living in an old house, you should probably check the wirings—even if you just recently bought it and even if the seller told you they updated all of them. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Outdated wirings are essentially looming hazards found inside your walls.

When you are living in such a house, it would be best for you to contact an electrician from an electrical company in the Philippines to update the wiring around your house as soon as possible!

 

Covered electrical cords and wiring

You don’t necessarily need to cover up your cords and wiring to hide them. In fact, it’s better if you don’t cover them because in some cases, extension cords in the Philippines and in other countries tend to heat up or worse, overheat. When left unattended this can lead to an electrical fire.

When thinking about the layout of a room, always provide some sort of ventilation for your appliances, cords, and wirings. By giving them some space to breathe, you won’t have to worry too much about them overheating.

Overheating light bulbs

Overheating light bulbs

These sources of light aren’t usually considered as a hazard. It is incredibly useful in almost every part of your home. However, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t pose a threat. Remember, it not only generates light but also heat. This means that if you placed them near flammable objects, they could end up starting a fire.

In addition, watch out for light bulbs with the wrong wattage because they also have a tendency to overheat.

 

Key Takeaway

Getting electrical devices from a trusted electrical company in the Philippines—such as Meiji—is one of the first steps you can take to ensure you have a safe home. The next part, which is the maintenance of these products, should then be prioritized.

Listed above are some of the things that you may be overlooking in your house that you should be taking notes to avoid any potential accidents from happening.

Creating an Electrical Hazard Free Home

Creating An Electrical Hazard Free Home

What are some suggestions to prevent electrical hazards in your homes?

  • Educate your family members
  • Hire a professional for electrical problems
  • Install GFCIs
  • Childproof your electrical system
  • Pay close attention to your appliances

 

Electrical companies in the Philippines are always advising their customers to keep their homes safe from any kind of electrical hazard. Electricity is constantly flowing through the walls of your home. If not managed properly, it can be the cause of potential harm to your whole family.

In order to create an environment that is safe from electrical hazards, Meiji – an electrical company in Manila – will be sharing a few insights on how you could prevent them from happening in the premises of your house. Read on to learn more about how you can make your home as safe as possible!

Educate Your Family Members!

Educate Your Family Members!

One of the first things you could to do to practice electrical safety is by teaching your family members (both young and old) about the many hazards that come with electricity. Since it’s something that is always present in your homes, it serves as an omnipresent threat to those who don’t understand it well.

The elderly and children are the most susceptible people in your household who could cause harm to themselves by misusing an electrical outlet or one of your appliances. Be sure to educate them well on how to properly use these items. If you prefer, you could put up a list showcasing some do’s and don’ts. Like this one below.

Dos

  1. Dry your hands before plugging an appliance.
  2. Unplug your device after it fully charged.
  3. Keep appliances and devices away from water.
  4. Be careful when unplugging a device.

Don’ts

  1. Never power several appliances with just one extension cord.
  2. Avoid overusing electronics because this may cause them to overheat.
  3. Do not try to fix a broken electrical appliance. Wait for supervision.
  4. Stop using an appliance with broken wires.

 

Hire a Professional for Problems

When you’re experiencing some kind of electrical problems, always let the professionals do it. Licensed electricians are trained in the installation, repair, and removal of electrical wiring—something that can’t just be a DIY project. Hiring an electrician will also ensure that everything will be done according to electrical safety codes and regulations.

This kind of effort could prevent any injuries from happening. Since professionals are experts in their craft, the risk of them getting hurt drastically decreases compared to when someone with lesser knowledge attempts to fix things.

Install Gfcis

Install GFCIs

Ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCIs are required in places that are more prone to accidents. They will detect current leaks in electrical circuits—something that happens when an electronic device makes contact with water. It will, then, shut the power off which reduces the risks of electrical shocks and burns!

If your home didn’t come with the standard GFCI receptacles, then it would be best for you to get them replaced as soon as possible, particularly in your kitchens and bathrooms!

 

Childproof Your Electrical System

As mentioned, children are one of the most prone people in your household to electrocution due to their lack of knowledge. It’s nice putting up a do’s and don’ts list for them to always be reminded about what they should and shouldn’t do. But what if your kids still don’t know how to read?

Well, the best thing you could do is to childproof your home. Here are some examples of what you could do:

  • Place rubber coverings on of your sockets so they won’t end up putting their fingers in there out of curiosity.
  • Rearrange your furniture to hide all the wires and cables so they won’t play with them.
  • Try to keep small devices away from them by placing them in hard-to-reach places.

Pay Close Attention To Your Appliances

Pay Close Attention to Your Appliances

Appliances, especially those that are used often, could experience electrical issues. If it is having an issue turning on and off or if it is no longer performing like it used to, then there’s probably something wrong with them.

Prevent malfunctions from happening by unplugging the appliance right away. Don’t use it until a certified electrician from an electrical company in Manila inspects it, declaring whether it needs repairs or not. Wait until he says that it’s safe before using it again!

 

Key Takeaway

Make your home a safe haven from electrical hazards. Be sure to take note of all the tips listed above so you won’t ever have to worry about the safety of your house and your family.