The bathroom can be a busy place when the whole family is getting ready for the day, but it's important to keep electrical safety in mind each day. Water and electricity do not mix, and the bathroom has both! Here are some tips to keep in mind for your daily routine.
- Be sure to unplug small electrical appliances like hairdryers and other hot hair tools when not in use. Bonus: Many curling and flat irons now have automatic shut-off timers. Upgrade to a new one that has this feature.
- Use all electrical appliances away from the sink, tub, toilet and/or shower. Just like the tags warn, electrical shock will happen if the appliance falls into the water. This can cause serious injury and/or death.
- Make sure at least one GFCI outlet is installed in your bathroom. These circuit breakers save lives and prevent electrocution by stopping the flow of electricity when an electrical appliance falls in the water.
- Cover light fixtures, especially ones in your shower. Uncovered lightbulbs exposed to water or steam can lead to electrocution or fire.
- Dry your hands before using small electrical appliances (hairdryers, electric razors, etc.). Use a towel to absorb the water and prevent the water from coming in contact with anything that can shock you.
- Central heating is the safest way to keep a bathroom warm. But if you do have an electric heater, it must be fixed at a safe distance from the bath or shower.
- Don’t overload sockets – overloading plug sockets is a common cause of electrical fires.
- Make sure all exhaust fans are clean. Keeping them clean will not only keep them energy-efficient, but it also helps to stop them from becoming a fire hazard.
- Avoid Do-It-Yourself electrical repairs by all means necessary. Instead, have a qualified electrician inspect your wiring on a regular basis to ensure the wiring is safe and to see if you need an upgrade.
For more safety tips in other places in your home, browse our safety blog at nremc.com/blog.
