Have you ever walked across the room to pet your dog, only first to be greeted by a sizzling shock as soon as you reach out to make contact? Or, how about when you remove a winter hat only to have a “hair raising” experience! And isn’t it a joy to watch when one of your kids rubs his stocking feet against a carpet before applying his finer to a brother’s or sister’s arm, delighting in transmitting that little but still shocking jolt of energy?

Static electricity is the result of an imbalance between negative and positive charges in an object. These charges can build up on the surface of an object until they find a way to be released or discharged.

Once released, static electric shock can be annoying at best and often downright painful.  Static electricity also can damage your more sensitive electronic components.  Here’s a list of ways to reduce the amount of static electricity you either cause or encounter in your home:

Humidify the Air: Static electricity builds in drier air, particularly in the winter time. You can reduce or eliminate that buildup by running a portable or whole-house humidifier while people are at home.

Use Anti-Static Hand Lotion: If your skin is dry, use an anti-static hand lotion to further reduce static buildup. Our own electricians often use special anti-static hand lotion for certain, sensitive jobs when handling electrical equipment.

Wear leather-soled shoes or cotton socks:  Rubber-soled shoes are great insulators, as are wool socks, which make them ideal facilitators of static electrical shock.  So instead, swap them out for leather soled shoes and/or cotton socks when lounging around your house.

Wear Natural Fibers: Clothes made from synthetics tend to pick up static charges more readily than natural fibers.

Purchase Ant-Static Mats & Products: You can purchase mats, wristbands, heal straps and conductive shoes along with anti-static sprays that can remove static buildup before it has a chance to discharge. You can also use special packaging materials that use anti-static bags or foam.

To prevent far more serious electrical shock, we also encourage you to replace any standard electrical outlets in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else where water can come in contact with electricity with GFCI outlets. Today, they’re required in new home construction for the added safety they provide.  But they’re also recommended for any home or business that doesn’t already have them.  To learn more or schedule installation, contact Excel Electric today.