Temperatures outside the window drop below freezing, but our home turns into a cozy oasis of warmth all the more. This is certainly very pleasant, but on the other hand, such comfort carries with it one inconspicuous, but even more insidious problem – the air is too dry. What can such a situation cause?
While in winter we mainly focus on protection against the flu or colds, the voltage in our apartments increases subtly, which can have adverse effects on electronics and other devices in the home. In the end, it is about the very safety of the place where we are supposed to feel protected from all the adversity of the world. The cause for concern is static electricity, which lurks on the metal and plastic surfaces of household appliances in an environment with low air humidity.
Watch out for house fires. Do you know how to put them out?
Monitor the air humidity level
The relationship between air humidity and static electricity is obvious and even more so in winter. Under normal circumstances, a thin layer of moisture on surfaces acts as a conductor, allowing electrical charge to escape to the surroundings. Once however in a room below the critical twenty percent, there will be real dryness and the risk of electric shocks, which can be unpleasant and even dangerous for sensitive people. How can we prevent them?
Remove synthetic surfaces
An important piece of information to remember is the connection of static electricity to artificial surfaces, such as synthetic upholstery or plastic parts of appliances. These surfaces act as charge reservoirs. But that’s not all. Once the charge reaches a certain height, irreversible damage can occur to the mechanism, microchips and control units of sophisticated electronic systems. It will then be very difficult for him to return to his artificial life.
Dust is also dangerous
It is also important to know that scientists have shown a close connection between static electricity and the movement of fine dust in a room. Statically charged surfaces of appliances literally attract dust, which deposits inside the devices and in the worst case they can lead to a fire. So it doesn’t have to be just an aesthetic problem that we can solve with a duster.
The solution is quite easy
Although this may seem like a big problem now, the solution is not that complicated. It is enough to occasionally ventilate and consciously increase the humidity in the apartment using humidifiers or indoor plants, which prove to be excellent fighters against excessively dry air. However, care must be taken to ensure that the humidity does not rise above a tolerable level, when mold could appear.
Get useful helpers
If you want to be sure that the electronics will not be damaged by static electricity and then the electronics will not harm you, you can purchase anti-static pads that will prevent many problems. It is also important to take care not to use plastic containers near switched-on electronics, as the friction of loose substances against plastic generates a charge with an unexpected intensity. So take care of the household, every little omission increases the risk of big problems.
