Remove Static Electricity

 Static electricity results from an unequal (or positive and negative) charge between two objects. What it creates is an annoying spark that can startle and sometimes jolt you unexpectedly. Here's how to minimize these shocks.

Steps

 * 1) Limit contact between moving bodies. Items collect static charge when spare electrons (trapped by a lack of conductive outlet) are collected or "swept up" by a passing body. Creating lots of friction--say, by rubbing your hands on something or dragging your feet along the carpet--encourages static electricity buildup.
 * 2) Put a cotton layer between materials that tend to hold static electricity. Paper, plastic and synthetic materials are efficient generators of static electricity. Hair, clothes and shoes are well known producers.
 * 3) Experiment with different soles to reduce your shoes' take-up of charge from synthetic carpets. Spray the carpet with an anti-static agent available from carpet suppliers.
 * 4) Wet your hair slightly before styling, and use a modern hairdryer with a built-in ion emitter (these reduce static buildup).
 * 5) Increase humidity. Static effect is increased in environments of low humidity. Buildings using air-conditioning, high levels of heating, or those with a lot of insulation can have low humidity.
 * 6) *Install a humidifier in your building.
 * 7) *Install a radiator-hung water container to increase humidity.
 * 8) *Open a window.
 * 9) Ground the static by touching a grounded appliance, wiring a ground circuit, or by applying a neutralizing charge. Static accumulates in areas where the charge cannot escape.
 * 10) When working with sensitive electrical components or volatile materials (such as papers/powders/flammable liquids) sparks and electrical discharge can cause catastrophic failure in sensitive electrical components and ignite volatile substances. Take steps to eliminate them:
 * 11) *Wire work surfaces to grounding points. Resistive "Touch Me First" grounding pads let users drain off any static charge they've accumulated without causing a spark or a shock.
 * 12) *Wear static control wristbands, which are wired to grounding points (Do NOT wear them when working on CRT [Cathode Ray Tube] televisions or computer monitors. More than a few people have been killed when the strap touched a main capacitor).
 * 13) *If nothing else is available, touch a grounded metal object once in a while to remove any charge from your body. Touching a water tap works extremely well as does touching a corner of a wall where there is metal stripping under the plaster.
 * 14) *Professional devices are available that control static electricity by use of alpha-emitting devices containing Polonium.

Tips

 * Static brushes can be used by manufacturers to control static in printers and other machines.
 * To reduce the "shock" simply use a less sensitive part of your body to discharge such as your knuckles, elbow, leg, or arm.
 * You can create an inexpensive anti-static spray by dumping a Tablespoon of fabric softener into a spray bottle filled with water. Spray this on carpets and other surfaces to prevent static buildup.
 * You can reduce or even eliminate the 'shock' you feel by discharging the spark through a metal object. For example, grasp a bunch of keys and use the keys to touch a nearby grounded object. The current will flow painlessly between a large area of your hand and the keys. Since the pain you usually experience is a result of the current being funneled through a tiny area like the end of your finger, you will be pleasantly surprised.
 * Discharging on a concrete wall, will also reduce the 'shock' to a mere tingling.
 * Shaving or clipping the hair on hairy legs will cause less static electricity to build up in the first place. While it may be unpleasant to your psyche, it works very well.
 * Try carrying an anti-static dryer sheet in your pocket, and rubbing it once in a while. This works to dissipate static for people as well as laundry.

Warnings

 * Store volatile materials away from areas known to cause static buildup.
 * When using fabric softener on carpets and other surfaces that you walk on, be certain to avoid walking on the sprayed surface until the surface has dried. Footwear can become very slippery if fabric softener is accidentally applied to the soles of footwear.
 * Never let anyone get into or out of your vehicle while gas is being pumped, as this can cause a static buildup that can discharge when you come in contact with the metal pump, or when the nozzle comes in contact with your vehicle's fuel port.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Get out of a Car Without Getting Shocked by Static Electricity
 * How to Avoid Destroying a Computer With Electrostatic Discharge
 * How to Protect Yourself in a Thunderstorm
 * How to Do Common Electrical Repairs
 * How to Replace a Defective Electrical Switch or Outlet
 * How to Make Static Electricity