4 Quick Home Improvements for Better Electrical Safety

4 Quick Home Improvements for Better Electrical Safety

What quick things can you do to improve electrical safety in your home?

  1. Rearrange furniture and appliances
  2. Secure extension sets
  3. Add more practical outlets
  4. Introduce safety reminders

 

One of the most common advice that an electrical company in the Philippines will give homeowners is that they should start early if they want to make their homes as safe as possible. Fortunately, these electrical safety precautions can easily be done even after your home has been completely built! Some of them will need some time as it’s basically a minor renovation, while others can easily be done in just a day.

You don’t need fancy furniture layouts, state-of-the-art warning systems, or a complete overhaul to make your home electrically safe. In fact, the changes that you have to make are relatively simple and easy to accomplish. Just take a look at these quick home improvement ideas that will make your residence safe from electrical issues.

 

Rearrange Furniture and Appliances

Rearrange Furniture and Appliances

It’s highly recommended that people get electrical devices that specialize in protecting other appliances. In the Philippines, UPS suppliers can easily provide you with the right kind of device that’s suited for your applications.

That being said, you can’t just place these devices anywhere near your appliances. You have to be careful and keep it out of reach from children. The same goes for outlets, sensitive appliances, and even some extension sets. These things need to be placed close enough to outlets that you won’t need to use extension cords, but strategically enough to ensure safety in your home

You can also hide outlets at the back of appliances or furniture to keep them away from the reach of children. In doing so, you also lessen the chances of hazards such as spilling liquids or accidentally hitting the plugs from happening.

This is also a good way to keep your home aesthetically pleasing—practically hiding all the cords behind or under furniture.

 

Secure Extension Sets

Secure Extension Sets

Using extension sets should be temporary at best. However, for applications wherein no outlet is available, then you can secure one for that purpose alone.

You should be careful when using extension sets. These devices have certain load capacities that limit the number of devices that they can power at the same time. Make sure that you check the load capacity of these devices and follow within its parameters when using these devices.

Avoid just leaving extension sets on the floor when they are in use. Make sure that they’re either hidden away from passersby or are visible enough so that people will be aware of their presence. You don’t want people tripping on these cords. Not only will it cause harm, but it might also damage your appliances.

For applications where the extension set is going to be used for a long time, it’s best that you cover up the cord on the floor with electrical tape. This way, you remove the risk of people tripping on it. Make sure that the main body of the extension set is also visible and well secured to the floor or the wall.

 

Add More Practical Outlets

When you find yourself using too many extension cords, it can certainly become risky for your power system. If you find yourself in this situation, you should already be considering adding more outlets all around your house. In most instances, it’s better to plug in your appliances directly onto outlets rather than through an extension cord.

More practical outlets mean more areas where you can safely place appliances. This allows them to receive the required amount of electricity without any risks or disturbances in the system.

A good idea is to also use more practical outlets instead of the standard ones. GFCI outlets are usually installed in areas where water is close by. However, you can still install it in other areas in your home for additional safety from any electrical problem that involves a sudden surge in power levels.

You can also install outlets that have different kinds of sockets. Install USB outlets to remove the need for adaptors when powering your gadgets. You can install these near tables and in bedrooms. Since most devices nowadays make use of USB cords and adapters as chargers, these USB outlets will allow you to directly plug in your phone or tablet to your outlets.

 

Introduce Safety Reminders

Introduce Safety Reminders

More of an additional precaution instead of a home improvement, informative signages will constantly remind the members of your family to be careful around electrical appliances and other concerns you want to point out.

As simple as it may seem, sometimes people will just forget about certain hazards because they’re too preoccupied with their desire for convenience. These safety reminders should be effective in reinforcing the significance of always following the rules and how they can prevent injuries from happening.

 

Key Takeaway

You don’t need to spend too much just to make sure that your home is safe from electrical hazards. In fact, as an electrical company in the Philippines suggests, there are a number of easy-to-do things that you can do right now to achieve this. Aim to make your home safe from electrical hazards and you won’t have to worry too much about electric shocks or broken appliances!

The Importance of Electrical Safety In All Establishments

The Importance of Electrical Safety In All Establishments

Why must you focus on electrical safety?

  1. Understanding electrical safety
  2. Three common types of electrical injuries
  3. Controlling the risks involved with electricity

 

Every electrical company in the Philippines aims to educate their clients and customers about electrical safety. Electricity is an essential part of our lives, which is why the next electrical accident is just waiting to happen — even with all the protective gear that is often used.

It’s hard to eliminate the risk of electrical hazards in many establishments. The best you can do is to manage the flow of electricity in order to lessen its severity. That being said, that’s not always the case. In the Philippines, most workplaces are not as electrically protected as they should be. From your typical office space to the more rugged construction sites, electrical hazards are everywhere.

Electrical safety is not as simple as buying the appropriate electronics to prevent hazards. Although they are a great help, you also need education and proper training to ensure that these devices work as intended. If all of those are put into play, only then will you be able to fully integrate electrical safety into your workplace. In this day and age, electrical safety should be your number one priority. Here are the reasons why:

 

Understanding Electrical Safety

The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is a non-profit organization that has dedicated itself to promoting electrical safety in homes and in workplaces. They have provided a good set of statistics on occupational electrical injuries and fatalities to help people understand that electrical safety should not be ignored.

One of the most prominent points they’ve mentioned is the obvious overlooking of some electrical violations in the past few years. One of them is the use of personal protective and lifesaving equipment, particularly eye and face protection. Something so simple should not be disregarded. Protective gear is there for a reason. Ignoring safety gear signifies blatant neglect of electrical safety that leads to injuries and fatalities.

Another factor to point out is the fact that from 2003 to 2017, a total of 54% of fatal electrical injuries occurred in the construction industry.

When it comes down to it, this is arguably because of the working conditions that you have in most construction sites. Often, the rugged and messy worksite is littered with electrical hazards all over. From unprotected extension cords or cables to faulty, sometimes broken generators (or all of these hazards in some of the truly worst cases) one is significantly more at risk of electrical injuries at a construction site.

To put it in a more general perspective, take note that contact with electricity is the sixth most common cause of workplace fatalities. That means it doesn’t matter if you’re working in a construction site or in a small office space — electricity is always at play. There is always a certain level of threat when electrical equipment is not used correctly.

 

Three Common Types of Electrical Injuries

Three Common Types of Electrical Injuries

Every kind of electrical system has the potential to cause harm to the typical user. The type of electrical injury that you might receive can be different depending on how the incident happened. To differentiate between them, here are the three common types of electrical injuries:

  1. Electrocutions – This is the most fatal among the different types of electrical injuries. In fact, the word comes from “electro” and “execution” — death by electricity. Electrocutions happen when one is exposed to a large or lethal amount of electrical energy.
  2. Electric Shocks – This one happens when your body suddenly becomes part of an electrical circuit. It happens in the blink of an eye and is usually followed up by a sudden reflex response to move away from the electricity source.
  3. Electrical Burns – these are burns caused by electricity, usually through arc flashes, thermal contact, and even electric shocks.

Keep in mind that there are other kinds of electrical hazards that can happen to you. But instead of affecting one individual, they can affect large areas at a time. While they don’t fit in any particular category of injuries, they can still result in the three mentioned above. These include Arc Flashes/Blasts, Fires, and Explosions.

 

Controlling the Risks Involved with Electricity

Controlling the Risks Involved with Electricity

As mentioned above, electrical hazards can’t be completely avoided, but the good thing is that it’s very easy to prevent them. Electrical safety devices are some of the most effective things that help reduce the chances of electrical hazards to extremely low percentages.

Other than that, you can also follow professional guides when you need some DIY electrical work done, however, if you or others find any of these processes overly complicated, it’s highly preferred that you still have professionals do it. That way you reduce the chances of electrical hazards from happening.

 

Key Takeaway

The importance of electrical safety should be emphasized, not just by an electrical company in the Philippines, but also by everyone that makes use of electrical devices. Electrical hazards, injuries, and fatalities are not things that you can easily shrug off. They’re a lingering threat to your home and your workplace so you have to make sure that you and everyone you care about are as safe as possible when working with electricity.

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.