How to Prevent Electrical Burns

Published March 26, 2020 Tags:

How to Prevent Electrical Burns

We are sure we aren’t alone when saying that at some point in our lives, we’ve personally gone through or known of someone who’s experienced electrical burns or shocks. On the surface, a singular electrical burn may not seem serious. This could be down to the humorous stance usually connected to electric shocks in movies or unrealistic content. However, electrical burns and shocks kill hundreds of people and injure thousands of people each year. Now they seem serious, right, and commonly easily preventable. 

Here at Peninsula Electrical Services, we are extremely passionate about electrical safety. With this in mind, we couldn’t go by without sharing some ways of preventing electrical burns around your home.

They are in fact common knowledge for most. However, electrical safety can reduce under the surface, without us as humans even realising. Electrical appliances can become fault, electrical sockets can be overpacked and electrical circuits can be damaged or broken. To protect your family and visitors, here’s ways of preventing electrical burns and shocks.

 

How do electrical burns and shocks happen?

Electrical burns and shocks happen when a person accidentally or purposefully in some foolish cases, acts as a circuit breaker. For example, electricity travels around a high voltage circuit. Once that electrical circuit is broken by touch, a person will disrupt and in turn become a part of the power lines; known to influence quick flowing power sources. Here is where an electrical shock or burn is highly likely and their associated risks.

Electrical burns and shocks can also happen when electrical hazards are present. Electrical appliances or power sources can become faulty or unknowingly hazardous. By coming in contact with that hazardous source of electricity through parts of the body, electrical injuries and burns can happen. With this in mind, it’s imperative that regular tests are completed to ensure your electrical appliances are safe for use.

Although a small burn may be experienced, severe electrical injuries can also be experienced. Likewise, this form of activity can cause house fires and dangers.

Preventing electrical burns, shocks and hazards should be prioritised in your home. Here’s our tips to prevent electrical burns and injuries moving forward, which should also be communicated to your younger and vulnerable members of the family.

 

Preventing electrical burns with our tips

Electrical sources are normally always on. Think about it, your fridge, Wi-Fi hub and phone lines are continuously active. Through multiple sources of electricity, and even the use of electrical extension cords, the risk of electrical burns, shocks or hazards can increase. Not to mention the potential for house fires, started through electrical faults. Here’s tips for preventing electrical burns, which we highly encourage that you follow.

  • Communicate the importance of safe electrical use to all in your home.
  • Ensure that children or vulnerable individuals stay away from electrical appliances or sources of electrical energy.
  • Use plug covers as and when necessary. This is highly common in family homes, where avoiding electrical appliances is unlikely. 
  • As electrical burns and shocks commonly happen to young children, we advise teaching children how to prevent electrical burns and hazards.
  • Electrical burns and shocks do also happen to adults. With this in mind, it is important to always check the safety and usability of your electrical appliances. We do recommend always utilising qualified services of electricians in this case. Attempting to do this yourself can result in electrical burns, shocks, faults and injuries.

 

Additional electrical safety advice

Alongside general steps to prevent electrical burns, it is important that you understand how to use and maintain electrical appliances. Here are some additional electrical safety tips to implement around your home:

  • Electrical appliances with the suitable plug prongs for your sockets should only be used. We’ve heard of horror stories, where individuals have attempted to use unsuitable plugs, resulting in hazards.
  • Always unplug electrical appliances from the plug. Pulling the electrical cord can damage the circuit and plug.
  • Always check the usability and safety of your electrical appliances. If you do notice any damages, it is imperative that you have this repaired by a qualified electrician. Without this step, you may experience electrical burns or injuries later down the line.
  • Never use or plug in electrical appliances near water. This is one of the biggest electrical hazards going.
  • Keep any flammable items or items which are known to power electrical energy greater away from heaters, or active sources of energy.
  • When completing any form of electrical work, professionals should always be used. Preventing electrical burns, injuries, shocks and house fires will be possible through this step.

Many individuals will not take electrical safety seriously. Of course, electricity is invisible. However, it can be highly dangerous, causing visible injuries. With this in mind, it is vital for your health and safety to follow our steps of preventing electrical burns.

 

Our services here at Peninsula Electrical Services

Here at Peninsula Electrical Services, we are NAPIT approved and qualified electricians, offering a wide range of electrical services. We are passionate about promoting health and safety measures as much as possible surrounding electrical safety.

If you’re looking for electrical works, we highly encourage utilising the services of electrical professionals. Without this step, electrical appliances and circuits can become very hazardous, resulting in injuries and house fires. For your own safety, preventing electrical burns and shocks is very important.

We cover a range of electrical services, from PAT testing and burglar alarm installation, to property rewires and electrical reports. Whatever your electrical needs, we can assist. If you do also require further information of electrical safety and preventing potential electrical injuries, we are here to guide you. Feel free to contact our team for more information and guidance on preventing electrical burns and shocks.

This information is also appropriate for commercial properties. However, there’s commonly stricter regulations and policies in place to maintain electrical safety in public areas. If you require advice on this, with the aim to prevent electrical injuries and hazards, get in touch today.