I'm a walking disaster.
My problem is I get an idea into my head, and either rush into it without planning it through. All common sense seems to go out the window as soon as I get a power tool or hammer in my hand.

The latest brush with death happened only a couple of days ago. I had to take down one of the lights in my living room, to paint behind it. It's a circular fluorescent light which fits over the original ceiling rose, and the 3 wires fit into small holes which are gripped by screws.

Anyway, whist rewiring the light, I actually licked my fingers in order to make the live wire into a point so it would go into the hole easier, much like you do when threading a needle. I would have stuck it in my mouth but I couldn't reach. The really stupid part is that I had completely forgotten to turn the breaker off.

Luckily a bulb had blown in the kitchen a few minutes before I started, thus tripping the breaker automatically. I had no knowledge of this until afterwards.

I have had to rewire this light several times for various reasons, and every time I forget to trip the breaker. I hate to think what will happen if someone isn't there to remind me each time!
( OneSullenBrit *air sandwiches*, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 0:50, 4 replies)

Erm...
...I think you'll die.
(Apathyman Prepare to be underwhelmed..., Sat 14 Feb 2009, 1:07, closed)

Quite possibly.
Although I am not sure if the breaker would automatically trip.
( OneSullenBrit *air sandwiches*, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 1:08, closed)

It would need something to trip it
Like say, the 240v running through your face. Bit late by then.
( evil_andy Stick stick stick stick sticky sticky stick stick, Sat 14 Feb 2009, 13:04, closed)

It's not THAT dangerous
so long as you don't touch two wires at once, surely?

I changed a bulb in my flat shortly after moving in, without knowing my way around the horrendously complex DIY-ed-by-an-idiot series of breaker-boxes.

Turns out I'd changed it with the light switch on and the breakers open- screw electric, it's enough of a shock when you screw in a bulb to a "dead" socket and it blasts 100W of photons straight into your eyes...
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Mon 16 Feb 2009, 12:33, closed)