Electrical Safety: How to Avoid Shocks, Fires and Outages
Electricity is an essential part of daily life, powering everything from your lights and TV to your refrigerator and air conditioner. However, with the convenience of these appliances and electronics comes the need for caution. After all, an electric current can be dangerous if not handled properly. Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits and damaged appliances can all lead to accidents. Follow these essential electrical safety tips at home to prevent shocks, fires and outages.
1. Inspect Your Electrical System Regularly
Routinely check in with your home’s outlets, switches and wiring. Signs of wear and tear include cracked or broken outlets, warm or discolored switch plates and frayed wires. If you see any concerning things, such as sparks or flickering lights, it’s time to call a professional.
2. Avoid Overloading Circuits
Overloaded circuits are a common cause of electrical fires. This is most likely when too many devices are plugged into a single outlet or circuit, causing it to overheat. To avoid this, distribute your home’s electrical load between multiple outlets and circuits.
High-power appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners, should have dedicated circuits to prevent overloading. Using power strips can help you manage multiple devices more easily, but they aren’t designed to extend the reach of an already overloaded circuit. Make sure all power strips also have built-in surge protection for additional safety.
3. Practice Safe Plugging and Unplugging
Using caution when you handle your sockets, wiring and appliances greatly influences electrical safety. Make sure you always gently press plugs all the way into the socket before turning on the device. If you notice that the plug is loose and falls out, call an electrician for help. When unplugging devices, pull closer to the plug itself rather than somewhere on the cord to prevent damage.
4. Never Mix Electricity and Water
Water and electricity don’t play nicely. Too much moisture risks a short circuit or localized shock. Keep sockets away from water sources, with the most caution in kitchens and bathrooms where a lot of the plumbing is.
5. Upgrade Your Electrical System When Needed
Old or outdated wiring is at a higher risk of failure and sudden damage. Ensuring all home electrical stays up to date improves safety and energy efficiency. For example, your older home may not have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), so consider having those installed wherever there’s a risk of electrocution if the outlet gets wet. Additionally, arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) help prevent fires by preventing electrical arcs. These will be most effective in bedrooms and other living spaces.
6. Use the Right Light Bulbs
Always look for bulbs that match the recommended wattage for your fixtures. Using a higher-wattage bulb than specified may cause overheating and damage to the fixture. Opt for LED bulbs, a longer-lasting, energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs. They also produce less heat, making them the natural choice.
7. Use Surge Protectors
Unexpected power surges can damage electrical systems and even pose a fire hazard. Having a whole-house surge protector is particularly useful for homeowners wanting to insulate their home wiring and HVAC equipment from these unexpected surges, like those caused by thunderstorms. For delicate devices, opt for plug-in surge protectors to safeguard against dangerous voltage spikes. The surge protectors are another important investment in safe electrical and ensuring that key electronics or medical devices are safe from power outages.
8. Educate Other Members of Your Family
Talk to your family about these electrical safety tips so they understand and follow them. Remind children not to stick objects into outlets, pull on cords or handle electronics without help. Review emergency procedures with them, including how to use a fire extinguisher and why we avoid dousing an electrical fire with water. Educating your family creates a safer environment for everyone.
9. Hire a Trained Professional
Electrical systems should be maintained with caution to avoid possible hazards. For minor projects, always turn off the power at the breaker box before getting started and use the proper tools and materials. Without enough experience, it is better to hire a licensed electrician for more complex jobs like whole-home rewiring, outlet installation and any major repairs.
Licensed electricians are up to date on the latest electrical codes, which may be updated as a response to new safety hazards. If you’re planning major electrical work, you’ll also need to pull the necessary permits, something certified electricians can handle for you. In many cases, DIY fixes often cause more harm than good, so stay safe and keep your home up to code by trusting an electrician for the job.
Schedule Expert, Licensed Electrical Services
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