8 Electrical Maintenance and Safety Tips You Should Know

Most people believe that their electrical appliances should never develop faults since they do not tamper with them, but the truth is as you get older, so does the appliance, and it needs a regular check-up to function properly.

Electrical appliances come in several forms such as the air conditioner, microwave oven, television, refrigerator, printer, etc, for both personal and commercial purposes.

You only enjoy these appliances when they are functioning properly. When they develop any fault, it puts you under stress,  exposes you to danger , and even costs you some unexpected expenses in fixing them.

Although the appliances developing faults at some point is unavoidable, you can, however, prolong the lifespan in the name of maintenance.

You already know prevention is better than cure, here are 8 electrical maintenance and safety tips you should know:

1. Keep cords visible

Most people run their appliance cords under the rug, place furniture on them or even fold them up. If it doesn't cause people to trip, it will lead to an internal breakage causing hazards for fire.

Simply make the cords visible and also not folded up, with this you prolong the usage of the appliance and also avoid anyone tripping by the cords hanging everywhere.

2. Plugs

Don't try to fit a three-prong into a two-conductor outlet because you might get yourself an electrical shock. Be sure the plugs are securely fit into the outlets and avoid overloading it.

3. Outlets

Don't just assume your outlets are in perfect condition, regularly conduct checks to see if it has loose-fitting plugs that could lead to an over-heating causing a fire breakout.

Also, put up safety covers on outlets accessible to children.

4. Regular maintenance

Also, don't assume your appliances are in good condition, get them checked regularly by a professional electrician. With this you'll be able to avert unexpected dangers, keep everyone around safe, and also make the appliance last longer. Also, ensure you have direct access to a 24 hour electrician who you can call anytime of the day in case of any incident.

5. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

GFCIs help in preventing electrocution. They are for areas with possibilities of water and electricity coming into contact.

The GFCI interrupts power once it senses a current leakage in an electrical circuit. This is to prevent people from sustaining serious injuries due to electric shock.

The manufacturer says the GFCI should be tested monthly and also after electrical storms just to be sure it's still in a proper state.

Do not attempt to repair the GFCI on your own, get it to an authorized repair centre to determine if it should be fixed or replaced.

6. Take care of light bulbs

Be sure all light bulbs are securely screwed in as any loose one may overheat. Check if the wattage of the bulbs is correct for the size of the holder.

If you're not sure of the bulb in light's wattage, check with the manufacturer and replace those with a higher wattage than recommended.

7. Water and electricity

Try as much as possible to keep water away from your electrical appliances. The mixture of both is capable of causing grave hazards.

Ensure your hands are completely dry when handling any electrical system or appliance.

8. Replace frayed wires

It's best to replace frayed wires in their entirety as quickly as possible, as they can cause a fire outbreak or inflict severe electrical shocks on you.

Replacing them instead of a repair is the safest way to ensuring it doesn't become a hazard.

Knowing the tips above – and using them – creates a safer environment for you and also ensures you enjoy your appliances or systems for a very long time.