Home Electrical Safety

Home Electrical Safety

Experiences of electrocution at home are not something new or out of this world as over 6 out of 10 people have experienced electrocution. Some victims of electrocution live to tell what went wrong but for others, you just have to figure it out from the scene of the incident. Places to always be conscious about are electrically energized appliances and equipment. Look out for exposed sockets, wires, junction boxes, substandard products, avoid over loading of electrical extensions.

Wrong connections are also a concern that should not be neglected because bridging of electrically energized wire can result in a fire outbreak. As a proactive step, make fire extinguishers available at strategic points to combat any fire out break. Smoke detectors will not also be a bad proactive step.

Have electrical connections checked at short intervals by professionals. Rectify wrong connections and replace substandard electrical sockets. Always have all appliance switched off when not in use. Do not plug a 2 pin plug into a three pin socket. Growing children should be monitored and discouraged from touching or operating electrical equipments.

Pesonal Safety and health

Personal safety is a personal responsibility that requires an individual to watch out not only for his/her safety but also for that of other (colleagues and friends). But this requires knowledge and awareness of what is or is not safe.  A practice generally accepted as safe can be an unsafe behavior. But how can one know what is safe or not when he lacks the ability to identify potential hazards in his environment.

Building your hazard identification skills will help you identify what is safe and what is unsafe. Oh!! I’ve mentioned the word “hazard” twice but have not yet said what it really is.

Hazard is an unsafe condition or action that has the potential for an unplanned release of, or an unwanted contact with energy sources in our environment which may result in harm to us, our property or destroy the environment. Pardon me for not explaining further on energy sources this time but it will be discussed extensively in a subsequent post.

Personal health has to do with personal decisions. You also will need some awareness to know the right things to do that will always keep you healthy. Like exercising, good diet, avoiding bad habits and a very good sleep.

The mention of exercise drew my attention to an aerobic exercise session I had with friends and colleagues at our company gym. The instructor almost reaped all the breath out of us in a 30 minutes rigorous exercising. After the session, I could feel my blood running seamlessly through my heart, arteries and veins. Breathing just felt better.

Your personal safety and health is very important to you, your family, friends and well wishers and colleagues.