Electricity And Water Hazard

With summer in full swing nfpa and electrical safety foundation international esfi are joining forces to remind people about the potential electrical hazards that exist in swimming pools hot tubs and spas.

Electricity and water hazard. Take extreme care when using electrical appliances or equipment near a swimming pool pond water feature dam or creek. Ideally all such receptacles and outdoor sockets must be gfci ground fault circuit interrupting type so that the danger of electric shocks and fires is reduced. Electric outlets in bathrooms and kitchens must be a safe distance away from the sink or shower. It s also the reason no one should ever use water on an electrical fire but should.

Fortunately these hazards can be eliminated or reduced by staying aware and taking steps to eliminate their dangers ideally with the assistance of an electrician. Interestingly if the water contains very large amounts of solutes and ions then the water becomes such an efficient conductor of electricity that an electrical current may essentially ignore a human body in the water and stick to the better pathway to conduct itself the masses of ions in the water. Therefore touching electrical devices with wet hands wet feet or especially in a sweaty condition salt water is a much better conductor of electricity than fresh water is dangerous. With our modern reliance on electricity there are potential electrical safety hazards in any home office or factory.

Remember it s water not fire that over the course of time can bore holes in the mountain ranges where rivers flow. Engineers electricians and other professionals work with electricity directly including working on overhead lines cable harnesses and circuit assemblies. These are eight of the most dangerous electrical hazards that could arise. Water and electricity do not mix.

This is why it s so important to keep all electrical appliances away from water and to make sure your hands are dry and you are not standing in water when you touch anything electrical. Leaks in multifamily buildings can erode masonry rot wood crumble drywall and corrode metal. Electricity would travel through the water and through you to the ground. As a reminder it s important to keep all electrical appliances away from water and to make sure your hands are dry and you are not standing in water when you touch anything electrical.

The easiest way to decrease skin resistance is to get it wet. Electric shock drowning esd can occur when faulty wiring sends an electrical current into the water. Electric outlets close to sources of water. Others such as office workers and sales people work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

If equipment is not designed to operate in water make sure it cannot fall or slide in. Only use electrical equipment via a safety switch. Water operates more slowly than fire but is potentially even more devastating.