How to avoid Static Electricity Shocks in Cold, Dry Weather?

The weather of winter in some areas is so dry that everything one touch gives a shock. What can we do to avoid constant static electricity problems in the house?

In the winter it feels like everything you touch shocks you,and first thing in the morning it can be quite a jolt to the system.Luckily,there are a few things you can do to minimize all of that.

Common Culprits of Static Shock

One of the easiest ways to avoid static shock is to pay attention to what you're wearing and what kind of fabrics make up the furniture in your house. For example, Electrostatics.net notes that rubber-soled shoes are great insulators, and will build up a lot of static in your body when combined with a wool or nylon carpet. Instead, try walking around in leather soled shoes, or cotton socks instead of wool socks. Leather soled shoes are also great for grocery shopping, since shopping carts can often cause lots of static electricity.

Similarly, wool sweaters are common offenders, especially in the dry winter (when you usually wear them). If you sit in a chair made out of the right fabric, you'll build up quite a bit of static. Again, cotton is going to be much more friendly, so try wearing cotton clothes when you want to avoid nasty shocks. Certain furniture covers or antistatic sprays can help alleviate this problem, too.

You may have also noticed that often, when you get out of your car, you get a shock when you touch the door. You might have even heard that touching the door frame as you get out of the car can help, and that's true. Make sure you start holding the metal frame before you get out of the car, and you keep touching it until you're out of the seat completely. If you forget to do this, you can also touch the car door with your keys. Since the electricity will discharge through them, you won't feel a shock.

De-Static Your Home with a Humidifier

The tips above will work when you're out and about, but when you're in your own home, there are a few other things that ensure you can wear those rubber-soled shoes and wool sweaters when you want to. A humidifier can make the air a bit less dry, and thus lower the possibility of you getting shocks at home. Generally, you want to keep it above 30% relative humidity, though 40% or 50% would be even better. We've talked before about picking the perfect humidifier for your home (which has many other benefits), and if you want to keep an eye on the relative humidity, you can pick up a cheap hydrometer from most garden stores. It'll really make a world of difference.

That may seem long-winded for a discussion of static shocks, but when you're struggling through those harse winter months, those shocks start getting really irritating day in and day out, and just a few simple tricks can help you eliminate that household annoyance.