DIY Electrical Safety at Home Tips

In the day and age of the Internet, homeowners are leaning toward Google and YouTube to learn how to do home renovation projects. In a 2019 report, nearly nine in 10 homeowners ran into mistakes when working through DIY home improvement projects, while one in four have injured themselves.

Read on to learn how DIY projects can go from a fun time to a dangerous time.

Common DIY Injuries

TV shows and social media make DIY projects look so easy, right? This is true if you know what you are doing. However, DIY projects can lead to serious injuries. The most common injuries include:

• Falling off ladders
• Being hit with tools
• Involving sharp objects
• Flipping or tripping over building materials
• Electrocution
• Inhaling dangerous fumes
• Severe burns

Stop, Drop and Don’t Do It Yourself

You put your health, the health of others and your property at risk when you attempt to complete electrical rewiring on your own. Electrical rewiring could lead to electrocution, shock and fires. In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration lists electrical malfunctions as one of the top causes for house fires.

Fires could occur due to faulty wiring that causes a short which then can ignite a house fire. Results of faulty wiring can go undetected for years leaving homeowners feeling like they accomplished their DIY project until a fire occurs.

Does Electrical Safety Inspection Cover DIY Work?

Yes. However prior to that, you should ensure your DIY electrical work has the proper permits. Permits, especially for electrical work, ensure that local codes and safety protocols are properly followed.

If you decide to move forward with installing electrical wiring in your home, you must hire a licensed electrical inspector to connect the cables to the electric supply. During this time, the inspector will also ensure the wiring is up to code, and if it is, you will receive a Certificate of Compliance.

Protect Yourself, Protect Your Home

When you do the electrical work on your own, you open up the risk for you as a homeowner. For instance, you can be prosecuted if you, another person or someone in your family is injured as a result of improper electrical work.

Enlisting the help of a licensed professional means that they take on the liability for their workers and the work they are conducting. If an unlicensed contractor or handyman worker gets injured while working on your home, then they could potentially claim that you are liable for medical bills and lost wages.

Leave It to the Professionals

The best way to keep yourself safe and reduce the risk of any DIY disasters, is to hire a professional. Licensed contractors and electrical work may cost you more upfront, but in the end, you will have the reassurance that you are not held responsible for mishaps that may have occurred.

We know how easy some DIY projects might seem, but if you or a loved one has been injured due to a DIY accident, contact KBG Injury Law. We will fight to get you the Results You Deserve®.