Preventing Electrical Hazards: Shocks, Fire and Outages
Electricity is one of our most important utilities, running lights, TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners and much more. However, with the benefits of electrical appliances comes the need for careful, energy-efficient use. After all, an electric current can be risky to work with without proper care. Improper electrical work, overloaded circuits and damaged appliances can all result in damage to the entire system. Follow these essential electrical safety tips at home to prevent electrical shocks, fire hazards and power cuts.
1. Educate Other Members of Your Family
Talk to your family about these electrical safety tips to ensure they understand and follow these best practices. Teach children not to insert anything into open sockets, pull on cords or handle large electronics without supervision. Include emergency procedures with your family, such as how to use a fire extinguisher and why we avoid putting out electrical fires with water. Instructing your family creates a safer environment for everyone.
2. Safe Ways to Plug, Unplug Your Home’s Electrical
Following safety guidelines whenever you handle your electrical sockets and wiring greatly influences household electrical safety. Make sure you always have the plug fully connected to the socket before turning on the device. If the plug is loose and falls out, contact an electrical professional. When unplugging devices, focus your grip on the plug itself rather than the cord to prevent damage.
3. Use the Right Light Bulbs
Always use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage for your fixtures. Using a higher-wattage bulb than specified may cause excessive heat and damage to the fixture. Pick LED bulbs, a long-lived, efficient substitute to incandescent bulbs. They also produce much less heat, making them the natural choice.
4. Employ Surge Protectors
Power surges can cause widespread damage and even pose a fire hazard. A whole-house surge protector is particularly useful for homeowners wanting to insulate their entire electrical system and HVAC from extreme surges, like those caused by lightning. For individual devices, use outlet surge protectors to safeguard against dangerous voltage spikes. The surge protectors are another important investment in safe electrical and ensuring any key electronics or medical devices are safe from power fluctuations.
5. Never Mix Electricity and Water
Electricity and water are a dangerous combination at home. Even a small amount of moisture can cause a sudden electrical short or localized shock. Keep sockets away from contact with water, using extra caution in kitchens and bathrooms where a lot of the plumbing is.
6. Conduct Regular Inspections on Your Electrical System
Regularly inspect all of your home’s outlets, switches and wiring. Signs of damage include cracked or faulty sockets, hot, discolored switches and visible wiring damage. If you spot any other concerns, such as sparks or lights that turn on and off, it’s time to call a professional.
7. Prevent Circuit Overloads
One major cause of electrical fires is overloaded circuits. This can happen when multiple devices are crammed into one outlet or circuit, causing it to overheat. To prevent this, be smart about where you draw your home’s power between all the available outlets and circuits.
Heavy-duty appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners, should have dedicated circuits to avoid overloading. Using multi-outlet strips can help you handle a larger number of electronics, but they should never be used to increase the load on a crowded circuit. Make sure any multi-outlet strips also have integrated surge protectors for added safety.
8. Don’t Let Your Home’s Electrical Degrade
Old or outdated wiring is at a higher risk of failure and fire hazards. Ensuring all home electrical stays up to date improves both the safety and energy efficiency of your home. For example, your older home may not have safety innovations like ground fault interrupters, so consider having those installed wherever there’s a risk of electrocution if the outlet is splashed with water. Additionally, this includes the similar arc fault interrupters, which help stop fires by protecting from electrical arcs. These will be most effective in the living room and any bedrooms.
9. Employ Certified Experts
Working with electrical systems is best left to trained, insured professionals. For minor projects, always switch off the breaker panel before getting started and use the appropriate equipment and materials. Without enough experience, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician for extensive projects like whole-home rewiring, adding new outlets and any major repairs.
Certified 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 obtain the proper permits, which an electrician can handle for you. In the end, DIY fixes often cause more harm than good, so avoid the hassle in the first place and keep your home in compliance by letting an electrician take care of it.
Schedule Expert, Licensed Electrical Services
Ensuring electrical safety prevents problems and protects your household and family alike. When you need an electrical panel upgrade, ceiling fan installation or washer/dryer hookup, turn to Xtra Mile. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, yet lasting solutions for all your electrical needs. Contact us today to request licensed electrical services in your area.
