Electricity is very dangerous and, depending on the amount to which you're exposed, could also be deadly. However, despite its danger, many homeowners don't know how to stay safe around electricity or assume they know when wires in the home are dangerous and when they are not. Note a few myths about electricity you might believe and which may be putting you in danger when your home needs the services of an emergency electrician.

Myth: Wires are only dangerous if you touch them

When a wire is exposed or touching the ground, you don't want to assume that you'll be safe as long as you don't touch it, and if it's not in any type of water. The ground itself could be conducting electricity, as well as building materials such as carpeting, drywall, floorboards, and the like. If you've ever run your feet across the carpeting and gotten a shock, then you know that these materials easily conduct electricity.

Remember too that your home may have metal plumbing pipes under the floor or behind walls that could be conducting the electricity. When there is any type of downed power line or exposed wire in your home, don't go anywhere near it but call an emergency electrician instead

Myth: Home electricity isn't strong enough to kill you

This is absolutely not true, as it doesn't take many volts of electricity for a person to be severely injured or even killed. Electricity from home power lines may interfere with your heartbeat, and touching a live wire can also mean an electrical current that continues to run for several minutes through your body until you are separated from that current, increasing the risk of severe injury. Since a small amount of electricity can be dangerous, and a small shock can be very painful, don't assume you'll be safe if you want to work on any type of wiring in your home, even those used for small electrical appliances or outlets.

Myth: Home wires are all insulated

Not all wiring in a home is insulated and when it is, keep in mind that a storm can damage that insulation, as can the passage of time. You may assume you can safely touch a wire that is exposed or can handle electrical repairs yourself and the insulation will keep you safe, but this isn't always the case. If there are exposed wires, even if you see some insulation covering those wires, you still want to call an emergency electrician. He or she can evaluate the insulation, or lack thereof, and safely make needed repairs.