Carpets and electric shocks

[jedimistress]

I am permanently receiving electric shocks from anything I touch. Is it something to do with carpets? Would woollen ones be less likely to produce static than the polyester?! whatever they're called. I am carpetting my house soon and if it makes a difference I would like to cut out the shocks.

[Pherstun]

Could be to do with the way you walk, and/or or your footwear.

A pair of boots I have cause me to get static shocks. If you shuffle/drag your feet a little while walking, this can also cause static shocks.

I would think that natural fibres should be better for reducing/preventing static shocks.

[qapmoc]

Hi, well you can actually get anti-static carpets and carpet tiles, which are manufactured with carbon or something conductive in it. I am not too sure of the relative cost but your carpet supplier should be able to assist you there.
The shocks are also due to the fact that the humidity in your house must be very low so the static charge built up due to friction does not drain away easily. Note that the static builds up on you when your feet slide over the carpet fibres so - 1. ''pick your feet up when you walk'' and 2. don't have carpet with very long fibres.

[funnywebsite]

It is usually caused by nylon carpets. I worked in an ofice and we were forever getting static shocks especialy if you touched a metal stationey cabinet.

[CT]

De-static yourself every so often by touching somthing made of wood, before you touch something metallic. It is more likley to be you that is the charged object, and the static shock is you earthing yourself. Metal is more conducting so it will discharge quicker than wood.

[CT]

SHould have also mentioned, this will happen when you are wearing insulating shoes/trainers. (Probably thick rubbery soles). Unlikely to happen if you are not wearing any shoes.