Electronics handling safety tips for teens

When working with or testing any electronic equipment, it’s extremely important to be cautious, especially for young users. Whether it’s simple or complex, tinkering with electricity can become a dangerous hobby. To avoid accidents, get your budding engineer to follow these practical and effective tips.   

Maintaining general safety with electronics 

Before they start working on any electronics project, kids should run through this checklist, and take print-outs of it if possible.  

Have they removed electronic equipment they are testing or working with from the power source on completion?  

Kids should never assume the power circuit is off, even if a switch is down. They must test with a voltmeter to confirm. 

Fuses are to be removed and replaced only after power to the circuit set is disconnected.  

Make sure children don’t connect power to a circuit till they finish work.  

Before they start, ensure that all electronics equipment is properly grounded

Replace damaged cables, stop kids form ‘repairing’ them with tape.  

Are they using market standard electronics repair and maintenance tools? 

If they take off covers form anywhere, especially large plug points, they should replace these always  

Keep safety equipment handy. Also keep basic first aid around. You don’t want anything to happen to the kids, but you need to be cautious too.

Maintaining personal safety with electronics

Teenagers are an eager lot. Check them and their work area before they jump into something that is dangerous and avoidable.  

Choose a work area for them that is dry and well-ventilated, but not sunny or windy.  

No flapping or loose clothing, especially synthetic material, while working. Ensure teens have metallic jewellery and watches off, and are not carrying the mobile phone around  

Get them insulator gloves. Teens are often careless about touching hot things, and that can be disastrous. Get them safety goggles, these don’t cost too much. And ensure they are wearing rubber shoes while working.  

When removing high-voltage charges on capacitors, they must always use a shorting stick.  

If your teen loves DIY electronics project, encourage him or her, but make sure they are safe.