Saving money is everyone's goal, and the DIY craze has been on the rise for a long time. However, electrical work is not usually something that you should be taking on by yourself. Changing a light bulb? Sure. But when electrical wiring in your home starts to malfunction, it can lead to faulty and dangerous connections which could result in serious injury or even death.
While it may be tempting to think that you can do a wiring project yourself, professionals should always handle major projects. However, there are a few “minor” tasks you could tackle on your own.
Even though they're minor tasks and not as complicated or dangerous as the larger ones, electrical shock is still possible with them. And a shocking experience is just the tip of the iceberg. An electrical fire can start up in your home if you don’t take precautions to protect yourself and those around you!
It's important for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts alike to know how to avoid these injuries- so here are some precautions to take when trying to do electrical repairs on your own:
Make sure that there is no power going to the electrical system you are working on. Turning off the switch or power button to an item is not enough. Shut off the breakers or remove the fuses that power the area. Secondly, unplug anything plugged in at the time of repair work.
You'll want to tape over the circuit switch in case someone doesn't know what you're doing and comes along and tries to turn the lights/power back on.
When you work on electrical wires, it's important to make sure there is no power going through the wires. To do this, use a power tester that will show if electricity is present or not -even if you switched off the power at the breaker or fuse box. Double check to be safe!
Make sure that everyone in the house knows what you’re doing and where you are. Keep children and pets away from the area until it is safe for them to enter. Remember, safety first when working on any electrical system!
It’s important to take your time when working with electrical components, because there is no room for mistakes. If you work too quickly and make a mistake, it can be very dangerous, so don't fall victim to haste or distraction during the project!
If you need to use a ladder, use one made of fiberglass. Fiberglass ladders are non-conductive and will help insulate you from any electric shocks that may come through.
If you are going to do electrical work, make sure your shoes have the right soles. Heavy rubber-soled shoes will help absorb much of a potential electric shock - just in case!
Electricity and water don't mix. Stay away from wet areas when handling electricity. You need to dry these areas before you start working, and if any wet or damp areas are close by where you'll be doing work, dry them too. This applies to both the electrical components you are working with, and to any power tools you may be using. Otherwise, you could risk electrocution or a bad shock!
You don't want to be that guy, or girl, who taped the wrong wires together and cause a major fire. Make sure you know what you're doing before starting your project, or else disaster may strike!
You can save some money by doing some minor electrical work yourself, but don’t take these tasks too lightly. If you find that something is beyond your abilities, don't hesitate to call in a professional electrician. Do not risk injury to yourself or your loved ones, or to the safety of your home!
Let us take care of everything from start to finish - from providing an estimate, installing new wiring or fixtures, troubleshooting problems with existing wiring or fixtures, repairing damaged outlets or switches – whatever needs to be done! You won’t find another company as knowledgeable about electricity as we are here at Cape Coral Electrical Services!
Call us today to schedule a free consultation about how we can help you with your minor, or major, electrical projects. - (555) 555-5555.