Every year, thousands of people sustain serious injuries in their own homes as a result of electricity-related issues, such as electrical fires, electrocution and accidents. One of the primary causes of these type of accidents is DIY jobs gone wrong. There are many people who do not have the training or experience necessary to take on electrical jobs in their home, which can expose them to a greater potential for serious injury.
It’s always recommended that you hire a qualified electrician to perform any electrical work in your home. That being said, we understand that there are some jobs you may wish to take on yourself anyway, so it’s important you perform the work as safely as possible. Here are some tips to help you:
- Always test wires before you touch them to make sure the power is off. Even if you’ve flipped the breaker to an area, test the wire first.
- Unplug any electrical appliance or device before you perform any work on it.
- Never touch plumbing or gas pipes while performing electrical work.
- Never take on a project if you believe it to be above your skill level. Know your limits—this is the best way you can prevent electrical accidents from occurring in your home.
- Be sure to research and learn as much as you can about your home electrical system before you try to take on any jobs yourself.
Proper tool safety
Many DIY jobs you are likely to take on in your home will require the use of power tools. Using these tools also requires a certain amount of training and knowledge. Many of these tools can be deadly if you don’t know what you’re doing with them.
With this in mind, here are some tips from our source for power tool rental in Monroe, LA specifically about safe operation of your power tools when performing DIY jobs in your home.
- Always use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with your power tools to prevent against potential electrical shocks.
- Do not use power tools connected with an extension cord longer than 100 feet long.
- Always use tools that have insulated grips if you’re working with electricity. You should never use power tools without the proper guards, either.
- If you’re using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or pressure washer, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electrical shocks.
- Never use power tools close to live electrical wires or water pipes.
- Be very careful when drilling into walls so you can make sure you avoid electrical wires and water pipes.
- Make sure you always wear the proper protective gear whenever using power tools, including safety glasses, masks, gloves or anything else needed for the specific job.
Again, there are far too many preventable electrical accidents that occur in American homes every year. Follow these tips and you will be able to stay safe when completing the jobs you have to take on in your home.
For more information about electrical safety when working with power tools, contact our source for power tool rentals in Monroe, LA.