How to Avoid Getting an Electric Shock?

Hiring an electrician to come and do a task can be very costly. This is why many people are tempted to do their own electrical work.

Any major wiring task should always be carried out by professional but there are a few minor projects that you can attempt to do yourself. The biggest danger with electrical jobs is accidentally getting an electrical shock. While this is a primary concern there is also the danger of electrical fire and you should know what you are doing to protect yourself and your home.

Here are some tips and precautions that you can take to stay safe the next time you embark on an electrical task.

Before you stay working always ensure that you cut off power to the area that you will be working on. Flipping the power switch off is good but if you can you should go to the fuse box and remove the appropriate fuse to cut off power completely.

It is a good idea to alert anyone in the house what you are doing (especially children). It is also good practice to place a tape over the switch (or write a note) just in case someone else who has no idea what you are doing comes along and try to switch it back on.

Wear heavy rubber soled shoes to help absorb as much of the electric shock as possible should one occur. If you need to use a ladder, try using one made of fiberglass as they are non-conductive and will absorb any electric shock that may come through.

Before you touch any expose wires, use a power tester to check the wires that you are working on. It is possible that you have removed the wrong fuse or switch and it is better to take precautions than to be sorry.

Electricity and water do not mix. If the area is wet or damp, you should always dry it out first before performing any work. This goes for areas that are in the vicinity of the work area.

You should also be quite sure of what you are doing as taping the wrong wires together can result in an electrical fire when the switch is turned back on.

It is probably good advice to treat the area as if it is still live. Take your time and work slowly through the project. And make sure there are no distractions.

You can save quite a bit of money by doing some of your own minor electrical work, but should not take these tasks too lightly. Call in the professional if you feel that it is more than you can handle. Do not risk your life or your home.

Article Source: http://articlekarma.com

Ken Fong Real Estate Information - More on Education

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