How to avoid static shocks

Are you a regular sufferer of static shocks? Some people seem to be more prone to it than others, and the problem often only becomes worse as the air gets cooler and the humidity level drops. 

There is no singular way to stop it from happening, but there are a number of changes you can make that should help. 

Static electricity builds up when electrons leap between two objects that have opposing electrical charges. If you touch someone, or someone touches you and an electric shock occurs, it means that one person has a negative charge, and the other doesn’t.

Dry skin rubbing on clothes made of synthetic materials is the greatest cause static electric charges in your body.

Rubber-soled shoes and fabrics like cashmere and wool, including woollen carpets, and down vests, along with the drier winter air can contribute to a build up of static charge, resulting in that nasty shock when you least expect it.

The answer to this annoying, and sometimes painful problem lies in moisture. In the home, you can use a humidifier to add moisture back to the air, and be sure to moisturise your skin too. 

Wearing less synthetic clothing fabrics can help too – try to stick with cotton as much as you can. 

Grounding yourself regularly helps, as does touching a non-conductive surface like wood before putting a key in a metal doorknob for example.

 Do you have any other tips for reducing the amount of static electricity you carry?