Best Practices for Safely Installing Electrical Accessories.

It is difficult to imagine any activity without the direct or indirect intervention of electrical energy. Electricity is progress and well-being, but if the knowledge and means to handle it are lacking, it can pose a significant risk to people’s safety. How should we deal with electrical risk?

The first thing you should bear in mind is that you should not carry out work on electrical installations of any kind if you do not have the necessary training and authorisation to do so because of the serious risk involved. You must always know and respect the five golden rules for the prevention of electrical risk established;

Five rules to prevent electrical risks: Disconnect, prevent any possible feedback, verify the absence of voltage, ground and short-circuit, signal and delimit the working area.

Others include;

1. Keep electrical equipment away from water
   Keep water and other liquids at least 5 feet away from electrical equipment and sources of electricity. It is recommended to install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) which help prevent electrical incidents like electrical shock, ground faults, fires, overheating, and the destruction of wire insulation.
2. Unplug equipment safely
   When disconnecting electrical equipment, gently pull it by the plug instead of jerking the electrical cord. Pulling by the cord can damage the electrical cable and cause a shock.
3. Install properly and tidy electrical cords
   Good electrical installation consists of fixed electrical equipment and electrical cords out of the way (and out of reach of pets that can chew on them).
4. Familiarize yourself with your switchboard
   A switchboard is an electrical safety device that protects and isolates the operator from electrical current. It controls the flow of electricity by dividing, distributing, and metering electrical power to different parts and devices. To ensure best performance and safety, electrical power entering the switchboard must resemble the amount of power it distributes. Otherwise, it can cause overheating and lead to electrical fire.