The following article was written by Fernando Walston of ACE Sydney Electricians.

While electrical appliances and fixtures these days are very durable and relatively safe to use, it still pays to keep in mind and always take safety precautions when using any of them. Here are a few electrical safety tips to take into account at the cottage.

Appliances

* Before you purchase an appliance, it is important to make sure that a highly reputable consumer laboratory has certified the item you are considering. Certifications from consumer laboratories assure you that the appliance will not break down at any random time and start a fire.

* Any unused appliances must be unplugged, and their cords stowed away properly.

* All heat-generating appliances like computer monitors and televisions must have several inches of clearance around them for proper cooling and air circulation. Thus, you should avoid placing toys, clothes, and other items on them.

* When using appliances, make sure you follow instructions carefully. If you need to make arrangements to fix an appliance, you should contact an electrical professional, like someone from ACE Sydney Electricians, immediately. Do not try to repair the device yourself.

* All electrical appliances must be kept away from places where water is often used, like the bath tub, pool, sink, or overhead vent.

* Avoid operating appliances while standing on water or with wet hands.

* All combustible materials such as curtains, clothing, and toys, should be kept away from heating vents, space heaters, radiators, and other sources of heat.

Cords

Electrical appliances have cords. Most of them are durable and safe to use as the manufacturers employed superior quality materials to make them. Nonetheless, following the tips below will help keep cords in perfect condition for a very long time.

* A cord is not a jump rope, clothesline, or leash. It should only be used to connect an appliance to an outlet.

* Cords must be firmly plugged into outlets. If a cord pulls out too readily from an outlet, plug it into a snugger electrical outlet instead.

* Never nail or staple electrical cords to secure them to outlets. Instead, secure the cord with twist ties or tape.

* A cord can become a trip hazard when placed beneath a rug. Doing so also prevents frays in the cord from being noticed right away. A frayed cord is a fire hazard.

Outlets

* Prevent foreign objects from getting into unused outlets by placing a cover or cap on them.

* Avoid overloading outlets with several power strips or adapters.

* The wiring in outlets must be concealed by securely placed plates.

Light Bulbs

* While light bulbs nowadays are certified safe to use, exercising these safety precautions can prevent them from becoming electrical hazards.

* There are many LED and CFL bulbs available in the market today. These do not require a lot of power to emit bright light, making them safer to use.

* A bulb should be screwed into the outlet tightly. A loose bulb can cause sparks and shorts.

* Make sure that, before replacing a light bulb, the light switch is turned off.

Other Safety Measures You Should Know About

* Never allow kids to play near appliances.

* You should immediately replace any appliances and tools that can shock you even a little.

* Replace light switches that tend to flicker without delay.

* Only an electrician should do electrical repair and rewiring.

* In the case of an electrical fire, water should not be used to put it out. Instead, use baking soda or a dry fire extinguisher. While technology has allowed for more durable and safe electrical essentials and appliances, the improper use of these devices, as well as the very thing that keeps them running (electricity), can be very dangerous to you. Careful observation of the safety measures highlighted above will keep everyone in the cottage safe.