Static Electricty Hurts! - How Can it be Stopped?

[Jim Burnes]

This is no joke. Here in my Tulsa apartment, I quickly build up a huge charge of static electricty and then, ZAP!...I touch anything and get such a discharge. And it really is not pleasant. Now, my wife, niece and even the little Pomerian dog refuses to come near me.

How does one cut down this problem?

Jim Burnes

[InSane1]

get a humidifier

[Jules]

Jim,

A vaporizer or humidifier works great, also there are static sprays, like Static Guard, that can be sprayed on the carpet. If you're a "real shocker" try putting fabric softener sheets in your back pockets. If they don't work at least your tush will smell good!!!

[Jim Burnes]

I've tried the humidifer, but carrying that around the apartmemt all day is a lot of trouble. Adding water just makes it heavier and it spills out too.

And, I'm still getting shocks. What's next?

Jim Burnes

[Jim Burnes]

OK, I took some power cords, stipped off the ends to bare metal and plug them into the outlets. I dropped them into my 25 and 50 gal fish tanks, so now my place is pretty humid!

However, two immediate problems: 1. My fish look dead and 2. the outlets are now faintly smoking.

I don't think this was a serious suggestion, but I will try to work it out.

Jim Burnes

[Bill R]

Jim, just wear this and attach the wire to a ground. You may want to lengthen the wire unless you want to be on a short leash.

[On Paper]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Burnes:
OK, I took some power cords, stipped off the ends to bare metal and plug them into the outlets. I dropped them into my 25 and 50 gal fish tanks, so now my place is pretty humid!

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If I remember my freshman science lessons correctly, running current to two electrodes submersed in water will break the water down to its two elemental components: hydrogen and oxygen. This, along with Jim

[207]

Jim, have you thought about moving to say.... Costa Rica or the amazon region??

[Hightower]

Do you wear shoes around the house??? It may be just the simple fact of wearing socks around on the carpet. Maybe buy a pair of slippers with a rubber sole. Or, as my mother used to tell me "STOP dragging your feet!!!!"

Hightower

[shooter1201]

I've been told by people in the electronics buisness to NOT touch your TV, stereo, computer, etc....UNTIL you have discharged the static buildup. Supposedly, the static electricity is enough to FRY the memory chips in most home electronics unless they are properly shielded.

[Jim Burnes]

Well, since the fire department left a few minutes ago, my apartment is now very humid, and there is no more static electricity problem.

But they took away my power cords, and capped my outlets. They were very rude.

Now, I have to use candles to light up my room and I am wondering...

Jim Burnes

[Mitzi1]

This may sound weird but try spraying hair spray on your hands, just a little. I use it to get the static electricity out of some of my clothes. Of course, don't get near a fire cause it's flammable. Just a light spray might help.

[Southpaw]

Put a teaspoon of liquid fabric softner in a spray bottle and fill with water. Shake. Lightly mist carpeting. Repeat when necessary. Static Guard works too, but is way more expensive.

Alternately, staple dryer sheets to your shoes

[kirch]

I'm losing track of which are serious suggestions and which aren't.

For the record, here are some real suggestions:

1. Change your shoes, or wear shoes
I have a pair of all-leather slippers I like to wear around the house. But in the winter they are unbearable because they generate too much static. It's even better when I just wear socks. Normal rubber-soled shoes seem to generate the least amount of static.

2. Change your floor coverings
Admittedly not the cheapest option. But carpeting generates a LOT of static electricity. Go to hardwood or vinyl floors and you'll notice a signicant decrease.

3. Get water into the air
If you don't want to spring for a humidifier (vaporizers have come under fire for their mold-producing aspects) you can put out pans of water that will evaporate into the air. Things that will increase effectiveness include using shallow pans (more surface area means more water evaporating into the air) and heat (the warmer the water the faster it will evaporate). We put a shallow baking pan on most of our radiators when the air gets really dry.

4. Become Electro-Man
Get a form-fitting suit with a big lightning bolt on the chest, a cape and a mask. Then go around fighting crime with your special electrical powers.

Okay, one of those isn't a real suggestion. I'll let you figure out which.

[Bob A]

You can add a whole-house humidifier to your heating and AC system. Call and HVAC contractor. This will take care of most of it.

BTW, if you get shocked as I do, when you get in or out of the car, it's from your pants rubbing on the seat. Hold on to something metal when you get in or out. DO NOT PULL ON THE DOOR!! this will make the door sag. Just put your hand on the roof pillar or some metal part of the body.

Make sure you use fabric softener when you do laundry. I use the sheets in the dryer, since that's where the static comes from.