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2010 Slush Pile

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How NOT to fix a fan!

2010 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance

So.. my dad was trying to fix the ceiling fan in his room. The switch broke, and he was messing around with the wires,splicing and re-splicing, trying to make the fan turn on and off by using the lightswitch. No luck. My job was to hold the flashlight so he could see what he was doing, and watch his latest effort when he turned the power back on and see if there was any sparks or smoke from the newly attached wires. He finally rigged it so he got the fan going...but now it wouldn't turn off unless you shut off the power. My dad was now looking for a new switch. We tried my old lamp switch,nothing happened. He took apart an airbed pump and removed the switch from that. Hooked it up... Turned power on... I scream and jump away as I get showered in sparks. Don't worry, I'm fine, but I tell him to turn the power off. The breaker flips off the power by itself, BUT my dad turns it back on! The fan is now running with a faulty switch!! I'm trying to tell him to turn it off,it showered sparks all over the bed (nothing caught fire) he searches the bed for sparks and I say they're gone now.... And then he reaches for the switch to see if it turns off!!! Now it's HIS turn to take a spark shower, while I scream and jump even though I'm on the other side of the room. He's not hurt, nothings on fire (and the fan turned off....), and I'm no electrician,but isn't rule number one if it sparks, there's something WRONG???? We turned off the power and threw that switch away. Not the best father-daughter experience.

Submitted on 07/18/2010

Submitted by: Lori
Reference: Personal Experience 7/18/2010

Copyright © 2010 DarwinAwards.com

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Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Trying an obviously fault switch multiple times and letting sparks shower all over the place most definitely is NOT a sign of intelligence. Thanks, Lori, and make sure you keep a close eye on your dad in the future. It sounds like he may need somebody to call 911 for him sooner or later!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Personal Account
Smart girl! And I'm glad you weren't hurt!

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