The Importance of Electrical Safety

Hot water is a requirement in every home. Despite this, very few people stop to think about the equipment that provides hot water in the house. As an electrical appliance, the water heater requires proper maintenance to ensure that it continues to supply hot water in your shower, faucets and laundry machines. Part of this maintenance involves making sure that the appliance is safe for use. Electrical hazards that result from water heaters are not uncommon; therefore, you need to be aware of the potential dangers and prevent them. Below are some safety tips that you can observe to avoid hazards with your hot water system.

Clean debris in the heater

There is no faster way of ruining your water heater and shortening its life than allowing debris to accumulate inside. The heater has a burning assembly that needs adequate ventilation to operate and burn correctly. With debris such as minerals and soil, the burning assembly will not be able to run efficiently. This will cause the water heater to work harder to deliver hot water to the different areas of the home. As a result, the heater will malfunction or even create an electrical hazard. To avoid this, keep your water heater clean at all times to allow breathing room for the heating elements.

Keep away flammable materials

Flammable materials should be kept away from your water heater to prevent electrical fires. Since the heater has heating elements within, they can cause a large flame if they come into contact with flammable liquids and gases. That said, you need to know where your water heater is located to avoid these risks. In most homes, the appliance is found in the garage, but it would be best if you confirmed where yours is located. Take care when using paint, varnish or refilling gas into your lawn mower near the water heater as these flammable substances can cause a fire hazard.

Know how to shut off the heater

Emergencies happen, and when they occur, you can prevent casualties if you know how to handle the problem. For example, if you have an electrical heater, it may start to overheat due to poor maintenance. If left unattended, this can cause damage to all the electrical components in the heater. However, if you know how to shut off the heater, you can prevent extensive damage and call an electrical contractor to inspect the unit. Take some time to check the heater and find out where the shut-off valve and other safety features are located, as you never know when you will need them.

Follow these tips to prevent hazards that are associated with water heaters. Have an electrician at hand who you can call for regular heater inspection and repairs.