DIY Electrical Safety Tips
While it is best to have an electrician take care of most electrical jobs around your home, there are some jobs that you can do yourself. But, you need to make sure that you are taking all of the proper safety precautions. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when you are working with electricity.
Stay Focused
When it comes to working around electricity, this is not something you can start and then leave unfinished to work on later. You need to stay focused on the work at hand, and finish the job right away. Make sure that you leave yourself enough time to be able to do the work so you don't have to leave anything unfinished.
Make sure the Power is Off
It is not enough to simply shut off the power at a wall switch. This doesn't mean that there isn't still electricity running to the outlet. You need to go right to the circuit breaker panel and turn off the electricity from there. Once you have done this, to be extra-sure of your safety, use a voltage tester to make sure that the power is indeed completely off.
Tape the Breaker Off
Once you have turned off a breaker, do a lock-out/tab-out procedure. Special tags can be used that will lock the breaker, so no one can accidentally turn it on while you are working. If you don't have these special tags, at the very least, use red or orange tape, mark on it "do not turn on", and place it over the breaker switch. Make sure that you let everyone in the house know that you will be working with the electricity so they don't come along and turn the power back on.
Remove Fuses with One Hand
Many people don't know this, but the safest way to remove fuses is to do it with one hand, while the other hand is behind your back or stuffed into a pocket. The reason for this is to make sure that the electric current can't travel between your hands and flow to your heart. If one hand is not touching the fuse, there will be no path for the electricity to travel.
Use a Fiberglass Ladder
If you are working on a ceiling outlet or something else that requires you to stand on a ladder, avoid using an aluminum ladder, as metal is a conductor for electricity. Instead, use a fiberglass ladder, which isn't conductive. It costs a bit more, but your safety is definitely worth it.
For more information, contact a business such as A.J.C. Electrical Service Pty Ltd.