Static shocks are sudden jerks that you might get when you come in contact with different objects. In winters or mostly dry seasons, one usually has dry skin issues. There are different reasons for it, one could be a lack of water intake but the major one is less humidity. The low moisture in the atmosphere, causes us to have dry skin. 

Certain issues are related to dry skin such as dandruff, rashes, etc. But the common concerns for most of the people would be static shocks. Static shocks are a result of dry skin. It happens due to the imbalance of electrical charges formed on different surfaces. During less humid days, these charges tend to form more on either our clothes, shoes, carpet, or wood floor surfaces and or metals. When you come in contact with them, you get a little jerk as a surprise. 

Static charges start building up due to less humidity in the atmosphere. The electrons start to get charged and whenever they interact with any other surface. An imbalance of electrons takes place, resulting in a shock. Similar is the case when you touch any surface that is charged with electrons (unknowingly) you will get a zap. This can happen with not only touching nonliving objects but living objects as well. You may get a static shock by touching any other person as well. Sometimes a person sitting next to you might be either charged oppositely and when you touch them, a static shock jerks you. It can be because of many things. They might be wearing wool or synthetic fabric. They might be having dry or less moist skin. Also, their body might not be properly grounded. Similarly, you may also not be properly grounded or wearing wool or synthetic fabric or highly charged with static charges. Since similar charges repel each other, hence upon encounter you or the other person may get a static charge. This may not be dangerous though but can be irritating or uncomfortable. When you or the other person may be busy with their work, this sudden zap can be disturbing. 

Static shocks can be avoided and there are different remedies for these surprises. To avoid such surprises, here are 6 tips for you to prevent static shocks from touching metal.

1. Change your clothing

Static shocks also depend on the type of clothes you wear and can increase your risk of getting static shocks. Certain fabrics are better at conducting electricity than others and should be avoided. 

Polyester and other synthetic fabrics are good conductors hence are more susceptible to charge formation. Restricting such materials in your wardrobe can result in the reduction of static shocks. Fabrics like wool are more prone to static charge formation. For winters, you should prefer wearing cotton socks and sweaters to avoid static shocks. 

2. Use Anti-Static Wristbands

Using an anti-static wristband can help reduce static shocks from touching someone. These are wearable devices that work on ionization technology. The material incorporated in such bands reduces the voltage inside the human body through their wrists. Hence the body gets discharged with electrons and less prone to static shocks. 

You can get an anti-static wristband online or from any electronics store. Such bands are available in different designs and colours and will not cost you more than $10. There are certain brands that manufacture anti-static wristbands or incorporate the same technology with fitness bands or smartwatches.

3. Use A Safety Pin

A DIY hack to avoid static shocks is attaching a safety pin to your clothes. It is best to attach a safety pin to the seam of your pants or at the back neck of your shirt. The pin metal discharges the electrical charges in your clothes which preventing static clinging and electrical shocks. Attaching the pin at the seam makes and hidden but still does the job of reducing static charges. It’s a small tip but can help you greatly when it comes to avoiding static shocks that occur frequently during winters. 

4. Use A Moisturizer

Dry weather means dry skin and dry skin is more prone to static shocks. Using a moisturizer can help. We mostly use our hands to interact with objects hence it is recommended to keep your hands moisturized at all times. Keep a travel-sized moisturizing lotion bottle with you so that if you are out at work you can keep your hands moisturized all time. With this, you can prevent static shocks. 

5. Change Your Shoes

Your shoes can also be a reason to let charges form over your body. Walking over a carpet or wooden floors can result in charge formation because of the interaction between your shoes and the floor. Wearing rubber shoes over carpet and wood can put you at the risk of getting static shocks. 

As Rubber is a good insulator, it can attract more static charges. Leather soled shoes instead, can help decrease the risk of static shocks and prevent you from a sudden zap. 

6. Ground Your Body

To keep your body free from static shocks, the fastest way is to get the charges out of your body. You can let the electrical discharge from your body into the ground. To do this, hold any conductive material such as the screw on a light switch panel or a metal streetlight pole. You can also stand barely footed on the ground if you are outside. But to do this, you must make sure that you do not touch live wires or non-insulated material. In this way, you can ground your body and let the charges diffuse. 

In these ways, you may avoid the risk of getting static shocks. It is recommended that you must adapt to one of the above tips to keep yourself safe. Static shocks although are not dangerous, but they can be if you are in contact with an electrical appliance or wires. Safety is first, hence adapting to safe habits can lead you to a healthier and safer life.