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January 09, 2017 Safety

Safety Tips for DIY Electrical

Knowing how to do small DIY jobs around the home can save you a lot of time and money. However, when it comes to doing electrical work around the home, there are some important safety tips to follow:

This article will look at some of the best safety tips if you are a DIY enthusiast who is replacing switches or plugs around the home.

Why Safety is of Utmost Importance

Electricity poses a great risk to your health and ultimately your life. Electrical shocks can cause one or more of the following:

• Skin burns
• Muscle contractions
• Abnormal heart rhythms,
• Loss of consciousness
• Cardiac arrest

As well as these direct injuries, electrical shocks can cause secondary injuries if the shock causes you to fall from a ladder.

The Best DIY Electrical Safety Tips

How can you keep yourself and other around you safe if you are working with electricity? Here are some top DIY electrical tips that are followed by the professionals.

• Always switch off the power to the circuit by switching the breaker to the off position. If you can’t find the right circuit, switch off the main breaker and if possible, you should lock the breaker off to prevent someone else turning it on accidentally.
• If you are working with an older fuse panel, remove the fuse from the circuit you are working on. When removing the fuse, put your other hand in your pocket to avoid holding the circuit with both hands.
• Leave a note at the distribution box that you are working on this circuit.
• Before working with wires, check that the circuit is dead with a socket tester or voltage meter by first verifying a live circuit then the circuit you are working on. This ensure your meter is working properly. 
• When making wire connections, ensure there is no bare wire exposed and connections are tight.

Practical Tips for Working with Electricity

There are other practical tips that you should remember to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

• Rubber doesn’t conduct electricity, therefore wear rubber-soled shoes or boots when working with electrical circuits.
• Use tools like pliers, wire strippers, and screwdrivers that have rubber-coated handles to prevent electricity going through your body.
• Always use good quality tools to reduce the risk of accidents.

Although it can be satisfying seeing the great results of your DIY skills, when working with electricity, always put safety first.