Young Electric Inc.

Regular electrical safety inspection in your home can, to a great extent, help ward off disaster. Every home and office has several electrical safety hazards that must be kept under check. Some of the following points cover the important aspects of an electrical safety inspection in your home.

Are Electric Sockets a Safe Distance away from Sources of Water?

The biggest occurrences of electric shocks and fires occur in the kitchen and bathroom, because these areas tend to be moist. Avoid using space heaters in the bathroom and never use electric appliances close to accumulated water or on wet ground. In the kitchen, ensure that all wires and cords are adequately protected from oil, moisture and heat.

Do All Electric Appliances Function Properly?

An appliance that causes mild electric shocks or overheats must be immediately repaired or replaced. Also make sure that you operate appliances properly.

Is There Sufficient Clearance around Electric Appliances?

All electric appliances must have enough clearance on all sides so that they do not overheat. Ensure that children stay away from electric appliances.

Are Wires and Cords Properly Insulated and in Good Condition?

Torn or frayed electric wires and cords represent an electric hazard. Regularly inspect all electric cords and ensure that the insulation is intact. If not, have them replaced immediately.

Are All Electric Cords away from Foot Traffic?

Electric cords must always be placed away from the high traffic areas in your home, otherwise they may cause people to trip and fall. Additionally, the wires may get damaged and cause an electric shock. Also, avoid placing rugs or furniture over electric cords, because they remain hidden from view and can get damaged faster.

Are Outdoor, Bathroom and Kitchen Sockets GFCI Protected?

All electric outlets in the kitchen, bathroom and outdoors must be GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected. These are the areas that are most prone to electric accidents and a GFCI protector stops the current before it becomes dangerous.

Are Unused Electric Appliances Unplugged?

Small electric appliances that are not in use must be unplugged, especially if the children have access to them or if they are close to water.

Are All Electric Appliances Tested for Safety?

Only buy electric appliances that have a seal of safety from a reputed testing laboratory. These appliances are extensively tested for safety issues and are safer in your home.

Are Unused Sockets Covered by Safety Covers?

Unused electric sockets must be covered by plastic pads that make them inaccessible to young children. Poking or touching wall sockets with objects can lead to serious electric shocks.

Are All Sockets Cool when Touched?

Hot or discolored sockets are a sign of impending trouble. Another warning sign is a burning smell emanating from an appliance or socket. Contact an electrician immediately for either problem.

Are Extension Cords Used?

Avoid using extension cords permanently. These devices are only meant for use in short term situations. Also ensure that the cords are in good condition and the extension cords and circuits are not overloaded.

Are Lamps Kept a Safe Distance away from Combustibles?

Lamps emit a lot of heat and must be kept a safe distance away from anything that can ignite. If a lamp topples over, it can overheat and start a fire.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/home-electrical-safety-inspection-checklist#ixzz1av9YRXgC

Electrical safety is always important, especially when you have children and toddlers in the house. Whether you are installing wiring for the first time or doing a safety check in an existing home, follow these tips to make sure your electrical systems are in good working order.

Tip 1 – Overloaded Electrical Sockets

Overloaded sockets are a common cause of household fires. Never put more plugs into the socket than there are spaces for, and avoid using multi-socket adapters and extension leads. Remember one plug per socket.

Tip 2 – Socket Covers

Although electrical sockets are too small for little fingers, they are not too small for other more imaginative items such as food, small toy parts, cutlery and other items. Take the precaution of inserting socket covers into all empty sockets in your home.

Electricity and water don’t mix. If you touch an electrical socket or electrical items with wet hands, you could give yourself an electric shock. Educate your children about this and teach them that they should always dry their hands after washing them.

Tip 4 – Check the Plugs and Wiring on Your Appliances

Make sure that you check the condition of every appliance plug and its wire in your house. Wires should be checked for any scorching or fraying that has occurred. If you find any, do not use that appliance until the wiring has been repaired.

Tip 5 – Running Appliances Overnight

Do not run appliances such as the washing machine overnight. If you leave an appliance unattended while you are sleeping, you will be unaware if anything goes wrong.

Tip 6 – Running Appliances Simultaneously

Beware of running large appliances at the same time like the washing machine and the dishwasher as these use a lot of power and can overheat the system.

Tip 7 – Switch Off at Night

Switch your electrical appliances off at night unless they are needed (like the fridge and freezer).

Tip 8 – Electrical Chargers

Don’t leave electrical chargers plugged in if they are not needed, like your mobile phone charger or laptop charger as these easily overheat.

Tip 9 – Trailing Wires

Don’t leave wires trailing around your house. Even if they don’t seem to pose an electrical hazard, they are easily tripped over. If you have lots of wires in one place, use a cable tidy. In particular, don’t leave wires trailing anywhere where they can trail into water.

Tip 10 – Fitting Sockets

If you are fitting sockets in your house, make sure that they are fitted a safe distance from any water sources like the kitchen sink. Try and leave a space of at least 30 cm. Don’t ever fit sockets in bathrooms apart from shaver supply units unless they are a distance of at least 3 meters from the bath or shower.

Tip 11 – Lighting and Water

If you are putting in lighting, make sure you install a pull-cord switch in the bathroom just in case of wet hands. Enclosed ceiling lights are also preferred in places where there might be splashes or your children may have wet hands.

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/11-electrical-safety-tips-for-children#ixzz1av8VgQyz