We here at London Electricians couldn’t imagine living in a world without electricity; a source of power, light and heat, it is an essential component of modern life. It would seem, however, that in our everyday use of electricity, we have become desensitised to its many potential risks and hazards. Did you know for example that it is currently the main cause of domestic accidental fire?
Today we take a look at just a few of the simple ways you can encourage positive electrical safety standards in your home and in the workplace:
Check Your Plugs and Sockets
Check for any signs of damage to your sockets as over time and with constant use these will gradually wear. There are lots of instructions online for replacing or repairing a faulty socket, however to avoid electrocution we recommend asking an expert to do this for you. Be wary of attempting to force a plug into a socket that doesn’t want to fit – this is something of which we are all guilty and is not only dangerous but will compromise the condition and safety of both units.
Don’t Misuse Adaptors
A favoured solution to limited socket space in a room or an office is the use of an adaptor or extension cable. These can be easily picked up from many supermarkets and DIY stores and present a real electrical safety hazard if they are misused. Don’t be tempted to purchase cheap adaptors as these can be susceptible to overheating, especially if there are lots of high voltage appliances such as kettles connected to them.
Good electrical safety practice is to swap over devices as you need them so you do not leave lots of appliances plugged in all at once. Furthermore, never connect up one adaptor or extension cable to another; there are a range of cord lengths available if you need to extend your extension cable further.
Appliance Electrical Safety
Ensure that the cables for your devices and appliances are in good condition and that none of the internal wiring is exposed. If you can see wiring protruding from the outer casing you will need to replace the cable as soon as possible to prevent short-circuiting or a fire. Moreover, you should try and keep cords tied up together and run them safely along the wall or ceiling. Alongside being an electrocution risk, trailing cables increase the chance of trips and falls which can lead to injury and potential compensation payouts.
Turning off appliances immediately after use or at least at the end of the day is good practice for both electrical safety and energy conservation. You should also ensure that any electrical apparatus has been inspected and signed off by a professional if used in a business environment. This is known as a Portable Appliance Test (PAT) and is a key component of health and safety regulations for the workplace.
If you are ever concerned about the electrical safety of your house or business then speak to London Electricians. Our trustworthy and friendly engineers are here for you 24/7 and can be contacted through our online form or by calling on 020 8728 9179.
