Three Ways to Make Your Household Safer for Yourself and Your Children

In buildings covered by networks of electrical wires, the chances of accidents and injuries are at an all-time high. Every year thousands of people fall victim to electrical hazards due to negligence and more importantly, ignorance about precautionary measures. An increase in dependability on electricity and modern technology has increased the potential of accidents. To rule out potential hazards and damage it is important to make buildings safe, hire professionals to conduct tests and check for potential harm.

There are many companies providing services to run tests and check electrical wiring systems to make them safer, like Hexo Electrical Testing. They provide a multitude of services, carried out by experts to reduce electrical hazards, keeping electrical appliances and inhabitants safe.

Following are some ways to make your household safer for yourself and your children:

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and EICR

Among all the precautionary measures, PAT and EICR are by far the most important. PAT can briefly be described as the inspection of the dependability and safety of electrical appliances. In contrast, EICR or Electrical Inspection Condition report is a report that is generated as a result of a thorough inspection of appliances and electrical devices at home.

Conducted by professionals, PAT testing is recommended for inspection of electrical devices and cables for any damage such as broken insulation and frayed ungrounded wires. Also, to make sure that electrical appliances are safe from damage, and upon identification of issues, measures are taken to ensure no accidents happen. EICR is a report generated as legal proof for the safety of devices in a house. Both tests are designed in a way to provide a maximum sense of security, so no issues arise.

Childproofing your house

Another way to ensure the safety of children around a home is to make it childproof. Children are usually curious, electrical sockets and appliances can look like toys, tempting them to play with them, which poses a significant threat.

Plastic inserts and plastic covering can be used over electrical sockets so that children are not tempted to poke their fingers or foreign objects into them. Sockets also need to be either higher, out of reach or hidden behind furniture, making it difficult for children to reach it.

Making something unapproachable is a significant way to keep children from harm. Electrical devices like DVD players, toasters, hand dryers should be placed in cabinets or high shelves.

Temper resistant sockets should be used with outlets designed in a way to avoid insertion of any object.

Be Vigilant

The use of electrical devices is unavoidable. A careless attitude can lead to accidents that can be avoided. Avoid using extension cords as much as possible, but if you must, hide them behind furniture or use the hide-a-cord device. Don’t use electrical appliances near water. Continuously look for frayed cables and damaged circuits and get in touch with someone to get them repaired if damaged. Vigilance can prevent most accidents.