Working with wires and electricity is a dangerous but necessary part of home care and maintenance, especially when you want to upgrade your home with new technology and need new wiring. When you need to install new cables into your home, follow these safety precautions to stay out of harm’s way.
Turn Off Power
The first thing you should do before you ever touch a wire is turn off the power to that area of the home. Live wires and cables are very dangerous and can shock you if you’re not careful. You should also test the wires with a voltage tester to ensure there’s no power left in the wires to be as safe as possible.
Use Protective Gear
Even if the power is off and the voltage tester detects no power, it’s still necessary to wear protective gear. Debris and sparks can cause a lot of damage, and a good set of thick clothing along with thick-soled boots can protect your body.
Utilize the Right Tools
When it comes to wire and cable work, it’s unsafe to use tools that aren’t specifically designed for the specific cable work you’re undertaking. You can use this list of cable installation tools to figure out what tools you’ll need, as only the proper tools will safely complete your installation.
Always Check Your Work
Once you’re done installing a cable and feel like everything is in the right place, don’t just walk away or seal it up. You should always double-check your work to ensure there are no loose cables or connections and that everything is safely where it needs to be. Faulty wiring in your home is a fire hazard, so double= and triple-checking your work before you turn your power back on is the best way to stay safe.
Following these precautions is the first step to remaining safe when installing cables in your home. Cable installation isn’t an easy project, and it takes proper care and attention to complete the project to avoid putting yourself and anyone else at risk.
