For me there are three seasons. Spring, Summer and Shocking. Now when I lived in Florida, the shocking season was very short. High humidity helped. Only once do I remember a fun episode with static electricity.
I worked night shift at the turnpike as a toll collector after I retired. I rather enjoyed the work and since I retired early--restructured out of my job--I was looking to pick up an extra pension from the state. Besides, being 54 years old was too young to completely retire.
One night as a car pulled up to my booth, I stuck out my hand to receive the ticket. There was a loud snap and a blue flame flew from my hand to the startled gentleman in the car.
"Wow," he quipped with wide eyes. " I think I am in love."
Well we both got tickled by acting out that ole cliche that sparks fly between lovers.
That was about the only time I have been amused by static electricity. It annoys the blue blazes out of me and often makes me say four letter words in surprise and irritation.
I sometime think I could power at least a small flash light with all the juice I work up each year. I zap my computer, I sap my pets, I zap me and I HATE it. Hey, I don't even have carpets.
This past week has been really annoying and I know the season is here. I have tried many methods to negate the charge.
When getting out of my car, the worst offender, I put my foot on the ground then press my leg against the frame. It is not so jolting when muffled by jeans and the leg isn't as sensitive as fingers. I successfully used anti static spray on my car seats but I hate the smell and am not wild about the chemicals.
In the house, I try to find a way to diffuse the charge using elbows and such but if I get in a hurry--ZAP.
While it has always been annoying, now that I have a pacemaker, I am not convinced that the zaps are totally harmless.
As most of you know, I am a gadget whore. I am easily enamored by gadgets and always believe they will do just as advertised. To add to my collection, I found these on the Internet.
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| Static eliminator |
I should hold up this post till the eliminators arrive but I had nothing else for today so I will have to let you know at a later date. They are due in Wednesday. Sorry about that.
Are you plagued with static charges and how do you handle them?
I do get minor zaps in my fingertips, but not as often as you. Mostly when there is an electrical storm brewing, and the zaps always come from something made of aluminium, like door or window frames. It's much worse if there is synthetic flooring at the same time, like nylon carpet.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteSo glad yours are minor and seldom. Carpeting is a real charger and if you don't pick up your feet, add to the problem. I don't have carpet either but still get zapped. Must me my clothing.
I find those shocking experiences quite annoying as well. I am afraid of electricity. Another good reason to enjoy humidity.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteYep, you are in the right place now. Florida stays humid enough most to the year to spare you. Enjoy.
This is true if humid means "soaking wet"!!
DeleteNow that you mention it, I realize that here in the Pacific Northwest, I haven't experienced it at all. Back in Colorado I did, all the time. Maybe getting a humidifier for your indoors would help. And I don't think your pacemaker would love those zaps. I hope those work!! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteI was wondering if the rainy PNW would keep you safe and now I know. I sometimes use a humidifier in the house when the humidity drops. Right now I am at 43% which is good. We had several days of rain.
I do get static electricity on carpet because I slide my feet instead of picking them up. Since I lived on wood floors the last 5 years I didn't have it much and had forgotten about it. I have carpet in the new apartment. Now that you've reminded me, I'm sure I'll be getting the charge soon. (insert sad face here)
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteOops that new carpet may get you. I have no carpet here and still get zapped though probably less than if I had it.
If the carpet is all wool it should be okay, it's only the synthetic mixes that charge you.
DeleteI am interested to see how your new gadgets work, like you static worries me especially now that I have the Defibrillator/Pacemaker, heck I won't even carry Cindy's phone in my shirt pocket anymore but now I'm getting off the subject.
ReplyDeleteStatic does bother me, it's kind of funny thinking about poking at the telephone over and over trying to just barely touch it and diffuse the static.
Jimmy,
DeleteHad to laugh at poking at the phone trying to diffuse the snap. I am comically cautious during the dry season.
I get a lot of shocks, too, but I've never seen the blue flame you describe. The worst are those I get when I touch my dog in the winter. The poor baby doesn't understand and frankly neither to do. I didn't know the level of humidity in the air is key. I've gotten them where they scared me touching light switches, the car, other people...Some days, I can't touch anything without getting a shock. If I had a pacemaker I'd want to ask my doctor a bunch of questions which I bet you've done or will do.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for the report on the static gadget.
Jean,
DeleteI always feel badly when I zap a pet. They seem to think I have done it on purpose and give me a bewildered look like "What did I do?"
Only when we have dry Santa Ana winds (which will be today and tomorrow, but I've felt none yet). They are annoying, for sure!
ReplyDeleteSilver Willow,
DeleteWith the dry winds you have coming, sounds like you are in for some shocking weather. Hope you are spared.
Wow, you must be really hot stuff. I'm surprised you didn't quit the toll booth job and take off with the driver !! I am a complete bore in comparison.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteHa ha, if he had been 20 years older, I would have at least worked out a coffee date.
In the winter after walking on carpets, yes, but nothing as severe as you describe, it must be your electric personality. Seriously, I am sure it is something that some people are just more susceptible than others. I doubt that it would affect your pacemaker, but I would inquire about the possibility to be sure.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteThey say I am OK but I can't imagine regular jolts are good for it. Probably not been studied.
I just Googled this and many people say the PM makes the SE shock worse. It should be safe, but it is a legitimate concern. I would wear slippers with a rubber sole.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteThanks for doing the leg work for me--or I should say finger work. That does make sense and maybe explains the frequency and sharpness.
I remember getting 'shocked' when I was growing up. We had carpets back then --and in winter (with that furnace coal heat)---there was a lot of static electricity...
ReplyDeleteBut since I left home, I have never lived anywhere --even here in TN ---where I have a problem with the static.... I'll be anxious to see how your new gadgets work....
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteI know as kids it was a fun game to chase eachother with loaded fingers. Lucky you to have escaped the problem as an adult.
Wow...! Don't you wonder what in the world? I do not have that problem but we have no carpets. That may make a difference.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day.
b+
Barbara Torris,
DeleteWelcome and thanks for stopping by. No carpets are a big help in cutting down on the event but I have no carpets also and still get zapped.
Static electricity was always fun when we were kids. We would scoot across the floor with our feet and then touch each other and run around the house shocking each mother all the time. I don't remember ever being afraid of it and I'm not afraid of it today
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie,
DeleteWe use to chase eachother around also and it was fun. I think after I got hit by lightening was when I got a bet leary of it.
You got hit by lightning? Please tell us about it!!
DeleteFran,
DeleteShould have said it was an indirect hit. I wrote about it in 09 and did a rerun last year. It did make me a believer.
Wow, you are an electric person. I don't have much of a problem with static, except sometimes getting in and out of a car. Especially my mother's car, it shocks me every time. Anxious to see if your eliminators work.
ReplyDeleteBrig,
DeleteI know, those car shocks are the pits. I'll let you know if the eliminators work. The car is where I am most hopeful that it will work.
Like someone else said, rubber soled shoes should help. I can remember seeing sparks from my hair when pulling off synthetic nighties over my head, and also from brushing my hair with a nylon bristle hairbrush. Now I wear cotton nighties and don't even own a brush, using only a plastic comb.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteYou have made some good adjustments. I do remember fly away hair. I now sleep in cotton also and didn't realize I was doing right. Good to know.
I am shocked constantly in our cold, dry climate! We have brass-based lamps on our nightstands and when I get up in the night to go to the bathroom, the base on mine gives off an eerie light from static as soon as my feet hit the carpet. It surprises me every time! I try not to touch anything but wood on my way to the bathroom (don't put on any lights) and if I must flick a switch, I hit it quickly with my fingers to eliminate the charge. When I plug in my kindle or iPad after crossing the bedroom carpet, I'm nearly electrocuted!
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteYikes, you really have to pay for those beautiful winters don't you? Now maybe I won't envy your beautiful location so much. I'll let you know if these gadgets work. You need the relief.
I hven't had a problem with static electricity---yet!
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteYour nice damp PNW should keep you shock free. Enjoy.
As DJan said, it is not so much of a problem here except if we get a period of cold dry weather in winter. I used to zap my kittie now and then, but now, no cat.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if fabric softener sheets rubbed on your hands would help.
Linda,
DeleteHa, my cat gets it the most for some reason. Luckily it seems to discharge on her fur so she isn't too upset.
Might try the Bounce sheets. I have been told they work.
Enjoyed reading the lovable story. I had no problem with it...
ReplyDeleteWeekend-Windup
DeleteThank you and keep enjoying being shock free.
I used to get shocked all the time as well. Now I can't remember the last time. I think it has to do with hardwood floors and area rugs. The days of all carpeting are gone. Plus, I tend to wear more sweatshirts than wool sweaters now. And no more pantyhose and wool suits.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
DeleteI think carpets are the main culprit. Don't know why I still get zapped since I have no carpets in this home.
I don't seem to have static electricity like this. I was shocked to read about it (LOL!). Seriously, I had no idea that such a think actually happens regularly. Wow!
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteHa ha, glad the only shock you get is from this story. Enjoy your shock free climate.
We have a lot of static electricity here because it is so
ReplyDeletedry.
Belva,
DeleteYou are in prime location. Dry climate with lots of artificial heat to dry the air. So sorry.
I hate getting zapped! It only happens every once in a while to me, but my poor daughter has it happen a lot. Maybe since she doesn't have carpet in her house now it will help. I'm interested in the new gadgets you found. Hope they work for you.
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteOh, I feel for your daughter. I'll let you know how well these work.
What an interesting topic, can't wait to hear the report when you get your gadget. I just remembered that I also get them in bed, in the winter, and they actually do light up.
ReplyDeleteJean R,
DeleteGoodness, they even get you in bed? They have no shame:)) I'll let you know if these will do the trick.
I am plagued with static shock, too. So funny I'm reading this today because yesterday was the first day since spring that I got the shock. I'm not smart enough to have thought about putting my knee against the car, but you can be sure I will take that tip. Can't wait to hear if your new gadget works.
ReplyDeletebellarum,
DeleteThe leg trick really does work as you can barely feel it--sometimes not at all and you are definitely spared that unpleasant shock when you go to shut the door. Next post will hold my review on the gadgets.
Ever been zapped while kissing someone? Now that's love!
ReplyDelete