When working in home, what is easiest way to avoid drilling into electric wiring?

Question

I want to hang a picture on my wall, but I will be drilling close to a lightswitch and an electrical outlet.

Answer 1

Try using plastic anchors that do not require drilling , just punching a small hole in the sheetrock. If you must drill find a stud and stay exactly on the stud which the outlet and switch boxes should be mounted on a stud. the other safest thing might be to stay in the middle of a stud space as typically the wire would be secured on the side of the stud. Try not to penetrate more the 1 inch into the wall as the wire if installed properly should be about 1 1/2 inches in. Professional installation would be the only absolute way of staying safe.

Answer 2

I would use a picture hanger hook which still requires a small thin nail tapped in with a hammer, but it's at a 45 degree angel and with the hanger on it, it won't penetrate the sheetrock to find an electric wire.
Or do as the other respondent said, i.,e., use a stud finder and find a stud and drill into the stud. I really don't see that possiblility though because you said your close to a light switch which would put the stud too close to hang a picture near the switch.

Answer 3

Remember, wires also usually run horizontally between studs. A stud finder with current sensing is a really good investment. Nail a small piece of drywall to a short piece of stud and take note of where the stud finder starts indicating the edge of the stud, etc. and it'll give you a good idea of what is actually behind your drywall, and where.