Common knowledge typically includes making sure that water and electricity don’t mix, not overloading the circuits, keeping appliances in good repair and keeping an eye out for warning signs like scorch marks on the walls and exposed wires… but there’s one hidden risk that you might not have considered, one that could become more hazardous over time if you’re not careful.

Common knowledge typically includes making sure that water and electricity don’t mix, not overloading the circuits, keeping appliances in good repair and keeping an eye out for warning signs like scorch marks on the walls and exposed wires… but there’s one hidden risk that you might not have considered, one that could become more hazardous over time if you’re not careful.

We’re talking about dust, fine particles of solid matter that are predominantly made out of dead skin cells, pollen, soil, mites, insects, bacteria, hair, clothing fibres and so on. Keeping on top of dust levels at home is essential for our health, helping to keep allergies at bay, but it can also make properties safer from an electricity perspective, as well.

How is dust dangerous?

If dust builds up over time, it can be particularly hazardous to our health, potentially catching fire if you’re not careful, depending on the nature of the dust and what it’s made of. If it’s made of something flammable, then you run the risk of a fire breaking out, particularly if this dust is allowed to accumulate in electrical equipment.

As dust builds up in your appliances, heat can be trapped within, which increases the chances of the working parts overheating and sustaining heat damage. At best, this will shorten the lifespan of your equipment or potentially lead to short circuits. At worst, it could cause a fire if, for example, the short circuit ignites some of the dust.

How can dust be removed safely?

If you think your electrical equipment has dust inside, make sure that you turn it off before you try to deal with the problem. The best way to get dust out of an appliance is to use a vacuum cleaner to suck it out. It might be tempting to blow inside the appliance but this is likely to just circulate the dust and can actually increase the risk of fire.

For homes, the risk is likely minimal but it’s still advisable to keep your property as dust-free as you can in order to protect your health and that of your family.

For businesses, depending on the sector they’re in, the risks may well be higher and it may be necessary to carry out a fire risk assessment that includes combustible dust and electrical equipment, as well as operational practices, so you can put together an effective dust mitigation plan to reduce the risks.

If you’re concerned about any of your electrical equipment, worried that it might pose some kind of health and safety risk, it’s always worth calling out an electrical contractor so they can come and take a look.
If they do find any issues, they can resolve these quickly and efficiently, making your home or business safer for all those on site.