Are you at risk from an electric shock in your home?

You may feel that you are not at risk of electric shock in your home, however there are many commonly made mistakes that householders often make that puts them at risk of an electric shock.

Your home may have perfectly safe electrics, it is important though that you still do not take unnecessary risks where electricity is concerned. Electricity kills 70 people every year in the UK and 350,000 serious injuries occur. Many of these injuries could have been easily prevented by staying safe and not taking a chance with electricity.

Did you know?

Some people think it is normal to get a shock from electricity now and then! It is not normal and whilst a minor shock may not kill you, many people have been killed by household appliances – as little as 42 volts is enough to kill. However it is not the volts that actually kill, it is the amount of current that is forced through the body. This effectively means any electrical appliance in your home when in use is capable of transmitted a current that is enough to kill.

Avoid these simple errors

Many electrical accidents can be easily avoided. As electricians in South East London, we often come across householders making these dangerous mistakes with electricity. Carry on reading and find out if you are putting yourself at risk from the dangers of electricity.

• Keep drinks and other liquids away from electrical appliances

How many times have you left a drink near to items such as a computer, sky box, television or games console? It is important to keep drinks away from items like these because if they spill the liquid would drip into the appliance causing you to have an electric shock. It could also cause a house fire. Not to mention the fact that you could also potentially destroy your favourite gadget – and that's at best!

• Always switch off your toaster before retrieving stuck toast

Using a metal object such as a knife to rescue burnt toast is extremely dangerous. If the knife touches the live parts found inside toasters you will get an electric shock – remember metal is a conductor of electricity. If you need to retrieve anything stuck inside your toaster, remember to switch it off first before you begin. Never use any implement inside a toaster whilst it is still plugged in. Do not shake a toaster to dislodge small items, crumbs inside the toaster can stick to the element and could cause a fire.

• Don't leave phones, tablets and other hand-held devices on charge for long periods of time

Once your device has finished charging, unplug it. Chargers can overheat and cause fire. It is also important to only use chargers and other accessories approved for your device. Never be tempted to purchase cheap chargers from unknown origins as they can be very dangerous.

• Don't leave electrical appliances and other items on standby

If you leave your television, games console, computer and other electrical equipment on standby you are risking an electrical fire. It is particularly important to switch off items on that are on standby before you go to bed. Not only will you stay safer but you will save money on your energy bill too. Don't forget to switch off washing machines and dishwashers once they have finished their programme too.

• Don't overload sockets

If you need to use an extension lead, use a bar rather than an adapter. Take care not to overload the extension lead as this can cause overheating and electric fire. The best option is to have an electrical contractor in London to install extra sockets that are needed.

• Keep electrical appliances out of the bathroom

        Don't take hair dryers, straighteners and other electrical appliances into bathrooms. You are at high risk         of electric shock particularly if the appliance comes into contact with water. Don't wind the cord round         appliances when not in use as this increases the risk of electrical fire from damaged cable.

• Only use appliances with a 3 pin plug

Never be tempted to use electrical appliances with a 2 pin plug in the UK. Here at Fulcher Edwards, we have seen instances where householders have tried to force a 2 pin plug into a standard 3 pin socket. If you want to use appliances from another country in the UK, you can purchase a converter which allows you to plug your 2 pin appliance into a 3 pin plug. This should be replaced as soon as possible with a standard UK appliance.

Keeping you and your family safe

By following these simple tips above, you will be keeping yourself and your family safe from the dangers of electrical injury and shock. By using electricity safely you are vastly decreasing your chances of fire and electrical injury in your home.