May is electrical safety month. Every year, thousands of people across the country are injured or electrocuted in preventable home accidents, generally due to DIY electrical projects around the home. It is crucial you do any of these projects safely, and though we encourage hiring a licensed professional, we at Burley Electrical Services would like to address simple home electrical safety tips for common DIY projects to help keep you and your family safe.
Electrical Safety Gear & Equipment
Always to have the right equipment for the job before you start an electrical project, whether it is installing a new appliance or replacing a light fixture, you need to the proper gear. Below are the basics:
Electrical Tape: Electrical tape is a common essential to many electrical projects as it is used to insulate anything that conducts electricity.
Pliers: While you work on the wires themselves, pliers can assist by holding back other obstacles.
Rubber Gloves: To prevent minor burns and electric shocks, wear rubber gloves can help while installing a lighting fixture or other electrical appliance. Though they can be a challenge to wear during intricate work, they are important for safety.
Rubber Gripped Tools: When working with electrical wiring, tools with plastic handles can crack, causing a shock hazard. Include rubber insulated and handled tools for your electrical toolbox.
Wire Testers: A must for electrical safety, wire testers can test the power running through specific wires, offering more safety throughout the project.
Voltage Testers: The voltage tester tells which wires or cables are to ensure you are handling the correct ones.
Safety Precautions when Working with Electricity?
Ceiling Fan Installation: Vigilantly look for warning signs you may have a safety issue. Ceiling fans should be worked with a voltage tester to ensure all of the power has been shut off as their can be live wires in the ceiling box. Read the manual and if you are not confident in your abilities, call in a pro.
Smart Thermostat Installation: The home’s wiring needs to be compatible with the smart thermostat. Replace the thermostat when it is ideal weather; not in the middle of a heat wave or cold front. This is a precaution you will not be without the needed heat or cool air if you run into a problem. Take a picture of the wiring once you remove the faceplate so there is no later confusion. You’ll have to add one for your smart thermostat to function if your system doesn’t have an existing C-wire. Call an expert if you are not comfortable in this essential element, otherwise you can potentially damage the whole system.
Lighting Fixture Installation: Turn the power off from the circuit breaker. Making sure you have a sturdy ladder and the necessary equipment, consider recruiting someone to help, as depending on the fixture, it might be ideal to have someone support the weight as you do the hookup. Avoid allowing anything to dangle from the electrical wires. Keep in mind you can cause a short in the entire electrical system with the wrong move.
Electrical Wiring, Upgrades & More in Agoura Hills, Chatsworth, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Encino & Greater Los Angeles, California
Ultimately, to ensure the electrical projects are done safely and efficiently, contact Burley Electrical Services. Our experts can get the job done quickly and effectively, and most importantly, keep everyone safe.
