Stop getting zapped
1 of 1Carpet treatment
Spray an anti-static treatment on rugs
and carpeting to reduce static shocks.
Static electricity is caused by your
body picking up free electrons as you walk
on the rugs. When you have
extra electrons on your body
and you touch a metal conductor,
such as a door handle,
the electrons flow into
the object and you get a tiny
shock.
During the summer, the
humidity in the air helps
electrons flow off your body,
so you don't build up a
charge. The air is drier in the winter, no
matter what type of heating system you have, allowing a larger charge to build.
Humidity will certainly help reduce static
electricity, so installing a whole-house
humidifier is one option.
Another option is to treat your rugs
with an anti-static chemical as shown.
Spray-on treatments are available at many
carpet retailers and online (search for “anti-static carpet treatment”). Carpet companies
also have anti-static carpets available.
Most residential carpets sold
today have some sort of treatment
applied at the factory.
A third option is to wear
special shoes that dissipate
static charge. The shoes have
conductive strands in the
soles that discharge static
electricity as you walk. You can
find the shoes at select shoe
stores and online at sites. The cost is comparable to standard shoes.
