Yes, neon signs are completely safe to use! There are, however, certain detriments attached to beloved neon signs which you should understand so you can take proper precautions if a situation presents itself.
Neon lights are a favorable choice for businesses and restaurants, but they can be slightly dangerous if not used correctly. There have been instances in which neon signs have been the cause of eye injuries when they break or get cracked by accident.
Neon lights usually comprise of glass tubing that contain neon and/or argon gas and (for particular colors) mercury vapor – a mixture that makes them brightly glow when electricity passes through them (therefore “neon” lights). Regrettably, this additionally means that if you one of these tubes break while working on it or even unintentionally knock it down when cleaning your store windows, there’s a possibility that some mercury is going to leak out into the air around you. This poses a minimal health risk as inhaling even minute quantities of mercury could cause damage to us. From a one-off accident you are going to probably not experience any problems, as the quantity of mercury inside glass neon tubes is too minute to have an immediate impact on a person. Exposure to mercury over many years or long periods of time or to a large amount; nevertheless, can be detrimental.
Dangers Of Neon
It’s fact that neon signage utilizes glass, gases, and electricity.
Glass can be dangerous because when it breaks or shatters then tiny little pieces of glass are going to fly around and cut those who are nearby (such as your customers, possibly you).
Electricity can additionally be dangerous if you are not cautious with it. If you touch a live electric wire, it is going to give you an electric shock which could injure or worse, kill you. This is why it’s vital to always turn off the power prior to working on neon signs!
Is Neon Gas Dangerous?
Neon gas is an odorless, colorless, and non-toxic gas. Nevertheless, it can be dangerous if you inhale too much or get it on your skin. Neon signs utilize minute amounts of neon gas that have been sealed inside glass tubes to make them brightly glow. When working with neon signs or are required to replace one that’s broken, the following are some things you should know about handling the gases inside neon lights:
Wear Gloves And Eye Protection When Working With Glass Tubes (Even When They’re Not Lit).
Avoid touching the tubes with your bare hands – they could be hotter than you think and you could get burned!
As aforementioned, always turn off the power prior to working on or with neon signs – no matter for maintenance, installation, or cleaning purposes.
Are Broken Neon Signs Dangerous?
Neon signs that are damaged can be dangerous, but only if you have no idea what you’re doing. The vital thing to keep in mind is that a damaged neon sign should in no way be dealt with by anybody other than a trained professional. Should you happen to break your own sign or somebody else’s sign, get a hold of an electrician without delay and let them know everything that happened so they can come out and safely deal with it.
When you have any concerns about how to deal with a broken neon sign on your own property, contact a trained electrician that specializes in neon lighting repairs prior to attempting anything on your own.
Do Neon Signs Get Hot?
Neon signs are made of glass tubes filled with neon gas, which glow when electricity passes through them. The heat created by these lights is not enough to be detrimental, however, it can cause damage if you’re not careful.
The greatest risk of overheating comes from using a substandard transformer or power supply that doesn’t have adequate wattage to power your sign correctly. This can result in flickering and other issues with your neon sign, so have your sign company use the correct power supply when installing one!
Apart from that, the glowing glass tubes aren’t going to present any danger from getting too hot and can safely be utilized for moss or living walls with neon additionally, for instance.
If you have any questions concerning how much power is required for your specific sign, contact us today!
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