Warning! Are These Common Electrical Hazards Present in Your Home? Take a Look

It’s easy to approach home life with a relaxed, carefree attitude. But despite our best efforts, electrical hazards remain present, requiring a keen eye and some common sense to keep loved ones safe from the threat of fire and electrocution.

So, where do you start? There’s quite a lot to consider, from the age of your home to how you access power and the appliances in use. It’s reported that electrical hazards and faulty appliances cause almost 40 per cent of all house fires in NSW, making safety around these potential hazards crucial and even time sensitive.

We’re taking a closer look at 8 of the most common yet dangerous electrical hazards found around the home. This way, you can implement the necessary precautions to keep the family and yourself safe to retain that free and easy approach to home life.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Wet Hair and Hands

Are you or a loved one guilty of climbing straight out of the shower and immediately reaching for the hairdryer? That’s a hazard right there.

Wet hands, wet hair and a wet body act as suitable conductors for electricity. You can potentially experience an electric shock when you handle electrical appliances, switches, power boards and extension cables while wet or damp. To prevent electrical accidents, dry off thoroughly before touching anything connected to electricity.

The same risks apply to appliances and switches exposed to water, whether from rain, splashes or spills. How?

• Water speeds up the oxidation process in metals.
• Oxidation causes appliance components to corrode.
• That corrosion then loosens contacts, which in turn causes overheating and increases the risk of fire.

To prevent potential electrical hazards, testing electrical equipment is crucial. Perform regular checks on appliances. If you:

• Discover damaged electrical equipment
• Find anything hot to touch
• Uncover any appliances that trip the power

Switch off the electricity and remove them from use permanently or until a licensed or registered electrician can investigate.

2. Old Electrical Wiring

Older homes are notorious for damage without frequent repair work, and nothing is more hazardous than faults caused by ageing electrical wires. Vintage houses may feature wiring with poor or worn insulation and improper grounding systems. Touching damaged insulation on wiring and outdated grounding can result in electrical shock, or even start a fire if exposed to flammable materials.

Modern electrical wiring has really raised the bar, though, designed to promote maximum health and safety. Still, wiring doesn’t last forever. There’s no easy way for the average homeowner to identify concealed damaged wiring. Energy Safe Victoria states houses built more than 30 years ago should have the wiring checked, and anything built before 1980 should have a licensed electrical inspector take a close look before you drop dollars on a deposit.

3. Curious Kids

Any parent will tell you that there’s no one more inquisitive than toddlers. And the placement of power points puts young children at risk of electric shock and burns. Whether they’re repeatedly flicking the switch off and on, or attempting to insert items into the sockets, power points are one biggest electrical hazards within the home.

Until the kids are old enough to know better, it’s well worth using protective covers on exposed power points. There are simple plastic covers you can buy from most hardware stores, and they will go a long way to stop curious children from accidentally hurting themselves.

4. Overloading Power Boards

Power boards are a great way to expand the electrical network within your home. However, they are also an easy way to start a fire and are therefore a potential electrical safety risk. Every power point is rated for a maximum amperage, but it can draw additional electrical current through the outlet. As a result, power boards are the easiest way to cause overloaded circuits.

Plugging in too many appliances or using just a few that draw high amps can overload a circuit, which is more common in older homes. So, just because a power board has eight outlets doesn’t mean it can simultaneously run eight appliances.

The Importance of Circuit Breakers

Make sure you have sufficient circuit breakers in your switchboard to accommodate all electrical circuits in your home. These breakers will shut off power to an overloaded circuit. But the board still has the potential to heat up and catch fire, especially if it’s a cheaper power board from a less reliable brand.

If you require additional access points to electricity in your home, have a qualified electrician install new power points and upgrade your switchboard accordingly.

5. ‘Daisy Chaining’ Extension Cords

“Daisy chaining” refers to a scenario in which a person increases their reach by connecting multiple extension cords to each other. Despite the practical benefits of doing so, daisy chaining is not recommended.

Once you connect multiple extension cords in series, the electrical resistance increases. This can result in a cord or cords heating up, potentially damaging the insulation and resulting in fire.

The more extension cords connected, the less voltage reaches the appliances at the end. This can cause a fault, tripping the breaker switch at your switchboard.

For health and safety reasons, most construction sites won’t allow daisy chaining for electrical work. So why would you tolerate anything less in the home?

6. Lamps and Light Bulbs

All forms of lighting generate heat. While modern LED bulbs are cool to the touch, the lighting fixtures will always get hot.

Lamps can quickly become fire hazards when children or pets knock them over. A hot light bulb that lands on curtains, bedding or carpet can ignite the fabric in seconds. Lamps may also have exposed electrical parts that, if damaged, can cause electrocution.

To avoid electrical accidents, always place lamps out of reach and on solid surfaces where they won’t be knocked over.

7. Electric Blankets

There are always stories of electric blankets being responsible for house fires. But these are almost always old, damaged blankets with exposed wiring or ones improperly used. South Australia’s Metropolitan Fire Service recommends inspecting and testing all electric blankets before heavy use each winter. They should also be thrown out after a maximum of ten years.

Sure, old, frayed electric blankets can pose a fire risk. But the more prominent hazard here is the body overheating. This can result in:

• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• and many other issues

The MFS also recommends that people sensitive to heat, including frail and elderly people, pregnant women and anyone with a disability, avoid using electric blankets as they could dehydrate and experience the above symptoms.

8. Water on Electrical Fires

An appliance bursts into flames. Your first thought will be to throw water on it. However, you should never put water on an electrical fire.

Adding water to the fire can result in a nasty shock or serious injury. Plus, any water that spreads and conducts electricity can also set other flammable items ablaze.

The best way to stop an electrical fire is with a suitable extinguisher. Shut off the power at the mains and use a CO2 fire extinguisher to put out the fire. That’s the model with the black label. The different classes of extinguishers are divided by their coloured labels. Only black is suited to electrical fires.

Keep a small extinguisher under the sink, in the shed or at the back of a cupboard for emergencies. They can be picked up from most hardware stores for under $50. Call the fire brigade immediately if the fire cannot be controlled quickly.

Protect Your Home and Yourself

Implementing electrical safety is crucial to avoid electrical hazards. Even around the home. Having suitable electrical equipment and the right mindset can go a long way to ensuring health and well-being. A few simple safeguards can significantly reduce the risks of electrical hazards, which should take a load off your mind and help return you to that carefree, relaxed lifestyle.

For power point installation, new wiring and general inspections, contact Metropolitan Electrical Contractors. We’re available 24/7* and can even be at your door within the hour*, especially when dealing with emergencies.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “Warning! Are These Common Electrical Hazards Present in Your Home?”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.