The Dangers of DIY Electrical Work and How to Avoid Them
B Town Electric • May 13, 2021
Doing your own electrical work saves you money and allows you to become a more capable, responsible homeowner. But without proper experience and precautions, it can be dangerous. In fact, it can lead to costly electrical repairs, accidents, injuries, or worse, death.
To learn more about why you should never attempt DIY electrical work, here are some common hazards associated with it and how you can avoid them:
- Electrocution
Contrary to popular belief, wearing rubber gloves while doing DIY electrical work does not necessarily mean you are no longer prone to electrocution. Once you get electrocuted, you can either get severely injured or die. Putting the wrong wires together, turning the power on, or accidentally touching the wires and forgetting to turn off the power can lead to disastrous results. In addition, your clothes, sweat, and distance from the power source can also affect safety risk, so do thorough research and undergo intense training before touching any electrical wires. - Fire
While you may not get electrocuted while doing DIY electrical work, there is still a high chance that it can result in fires. Worse, it may be gradual, which means it may break out when you are not home or asleep.
A fire can occur if you use improper wiring, causing a short circuit. Note that there are many kinds of electrical wires. Using the wrong ones or letting wires touch specific areas can lead to a fire.
Another common cause of this incident is a faulty switch. This can happen when you put extension switches and plugs without help from licensed electricians, and your outlet ends up not being able to bear the load. Your power source can blow up or cause an overload and a fire when you use the wrong wattage or a bad fuse.
How Do I Avoid Electrical Dangers When Doing DIY?
Fire and electrocution are incidents that can drastically change your life for the worse. In the end, you might find yourself regretting the entire situation. Luckily, here are some tips for preventing these common dangers:
- Use proper clothing
When doing electrical work, it’s not enough to have comfortable clothes. Your outfit should keep you safe, so make sure you put on long sleeves made of cotton and safety goggles. You can also invest in high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) and gloves to ensure your utmost safety. - Be mindful of moisture
You should position a socket where there is water. It can expose you to a serious risk of electrocution and a short circuit, so watch out for water.
- Undergo training
The Internet offers many resources about DIY electrical work, but watching video tutorials and reading informative articles may not be enough to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and skills. Therefore, you have to get legitimate training by taking vocational courses.
Conclusion
DIY electrical work can provide a fulfilling experience, but it does not have to be at the expense of accidents. If you decide to pursue DIY despite the dangers listed above, follow the suggestions in this guide. On the other hand, you can always hire licensed electricians like us to make the necessary repairs and maintenance without worrying about your safety.
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