With May being Electrical Safety Month, it is the perfect time to address important safety tips that can be useful when working on DIY projects that could help keep you and your family safe. Thousands of homeowners are injured or electrocuted in accidents that could have been prevented if they might have known some of these important tips.
Wearing the Proper Gear
The first important safety tip when working on any type of electrical is to have the proper gear to protect yourself. Whether it is installing a new appliance, light fixture, or even a fan in your home. Having the right gear will protect you from any accidents that may occur.
-
Pliers – Having a good set of pillars is important because they assist in hold back obstacles while you work on the wires themselves.
-
Electrical Tape – This is a great item to keep in your tool kit because electrical tape helps insulate the project you are working on and becomes handy for many uses.
-
Voltage Testers – This is a handy tool to have when working on the electrical in your home, because it can detect which wires are live, so you know which wires to work on. It will help you be aware, so you do not shock yourself by accident.
-
Wire Testers – This is a handy tool to have because they can help you detect if there is power running through a wire you are trying to work on. Having this device will help keep you safe throughout your project.
-
Tools with Rubber Based Grips – Tools with rubber grips are better to use than those with plastic grips, because plastic handles can crack causing a shock hazard when you are working on electrical wiring.
-
Rubber Gloves – when installing electrical appliances, fans or lighting fixtures rubber gloves can help prevent any burns you could sustain while trying to install your project.
Installation Safety for Ceiling Fans
When you start a home project you always want to be prepared, so no safety issues occur. If you decide to install a ceiling fan yourself, rather than have a professional help, you are going to want to use a voltage tester, because it will tell you what wires are currently active. Even after the power has been cut off to that area, there may still be live wires in the ceiling box. Always double check the manual that comes with the ceiling fan for any specifics you may need to account for before you start your install. If you become uncomfortable, or overwhelmed at any point, do not finish the project, and contact a licensed electrician to help finish the install.
Installation Safety for Smart Thermostat
When you start thinking about installing a new thermostat, you need to make sure the new unit is compatible with the wiring in your home. Most smart thermostat models have a check list to go by so you can select the right thermostat for your home that is compatible.
The best time to think about replacing your thermostat is when you are not overly working your HVAC system. This is suggested so you are not without heat in the middle of Winter, or your air conditioning in the middle of heat wave in the Summer. This will help reduce any down time you may experience in your home during an install.
Always make sure your HVAC system is turned off before installing a new thermostat in your home. It is suggested that you take a photo of the wiring once you remove the faceplate, so there is no confusion later if you need to reference the wire placements for the new install. You will need an existing C-wire for your new smart thermostat. If you do not have one already, that is something you will need to include for your smart thermostat install. If at any time you feel uncomfortable hooking up the new thermostat, call an expert to help you finish the install, so you do not damage your entire system in the process.
Installation Safety for Lighting Fixtures
Always make sure you do some prep work before diving in to install your new lighting fixture in your home. It is recommended that you turn off the power to the area you are installing the new fixture from the circuit breaker. You should also make sure you have a sturdy ladder, and any equipment you may need for the install, as well as, someone who is willing to hold the fixture while you install the wiring could be a plus for a quick and easy install. Never allow anything to dangle from the wires while you are working on the install. Fixtures that are not installed properly can cause shorts and cause damage to your whole system.
For all your Electrical needs, let the professionals at Downtown Electric and Lighting help you update your homes wiring. Call us TODAY at (719)-428-8245 to schedule your appointment for your estimate.
