It’s important to ensure your home remains a haven, and you are largely responsible for that as a homeowner. While you might not be well-versed when it comes to home maintenance and how to keep your home safe, thankfully, there’s a lot of help available online.
Staying safe with electricity at home is one that involves simple checks and maintenance tips that will help keep your household safe from any electrical problems.
Daily and General Safety Habits
Several daily and general safety habits will help keep you safe when handling electricity in general. First and foremost, don’t overload sockets. You should only be using one high-power appliance, like a kettle or an iron, per outlet.
Never plug one extension lead into another, as this can cause overheating. Any devices that you’re not using, you should unplug. These include appliances like chargers and small appliances in general.
Check cables regularly for frayed, worn-out cables or damage and replace them where needed immediately. If you’re worried about any faulty electrics, then seeking out electricians is your best port of call, rather than DIY. Talking of cables, never run cables under rugs or furniture, as it traps heat and may risk an electrical fire.
Proper bulbs should be used for all lights, never exceeding the recommended wattage for light fixtures.
Kitchen and Bathroom Safety
Electrical risks can arise in all areas of the home, but they can be particularly risky where there’s a lot of moisture and water nearby, like a kitchen or bathroom.
Keep appliances away from sinks, baths, and wet areas. Always have dry hands when handling appliances or touching switches. When you’re cleaning appliances, always unplug them before cleaning or removing stuck items.
Maintenance Checklist
A helpful checklist is useful to keep on top of the maintenance requirements around the home. Such tasks to include in your checklist would be:
- Inspect sockets – Look for scorch marks, any hot-to-touch plastic, or buzzing sounds.
- Test smoke alarms – Test smoke alarms monthly to ensure they work.
- Check RCDs – Test RCD devices every three months via the test button.
- Professional inspection – Get an EICR done every ten years or five years for rentals.
- Clean appliances – Keep appliances clean as well as behind appliances like fridges and dryers.
Safety with Children
When you have children in the household, it’s important to be mindful of how you keep them safe in the home.
Make sure to secure any cords and keep cords in general out of reach to stop children from pulling them or chewing on them. You’ll also find it beneficial to educate children not to poke into sockets or play with appliances.
Outdoor Electrical Safety
The outdoor area of your home is also a place to be mindful of when it comes to electrical safety.
Ensure all external sockets are weatherproof and RCD-protected. You’ll also want to check that all electrical garden tools aren’t damaged after storage. Never use electrical equipment in the rain or on wet grass.
With these tips, you’ll be able to keep your home safe when it comes to electricity.
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