Maintaining Electrical Safety at Home and Prevent Shocks, Fires and Outages
Electricity powers everyday 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 careful, energy-efficient use. After all, electricity can be risky to work with without proper care. Bad wiring, excessive power load and using malfunctioning electronics can all cause a number of problems. Follow these important safety measures at home to prevent shocks, fire hazards and power cuts.
1. Keep Your Family Informed on Electrical Safety
Talk to your family about these electrical safety tips to make sure they learn and follow all the recommendations. Teach children not to stick objects into outlets, pull on cords or handle electrical devices without supervision. Go over emergency procedures with them, including how to use a fire extinguisher and why we avoid dousing an electrical fire with water. Teaching your family creates a safer environment for everyone.
2. Safe Ways to Plug, Unplug Your Home’s Electrical
Using caution when you handle your sockets, wiring and appliances greatly influences electrical safety. Always have appliances and fixtures fully plugged in before turning on the device. If the plug is wobbly and risks falling out, consider calling an electrical professional. When unplugging something, pull from the plug itself rather than yanking the cord to prevent damage.
3. Select Proper Light Bulbs
Always prioritize lighting options that fit the recommended wattage for your fixtures. Using a higher-wattage bulb than specified may cause excessive heat and damage to the fixture. Opt for LED bulbs, a more durable, energy-efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs. They also produce less heat, making them the better option all around.
4. Use Surge Protectors
Unexpected power surges can damage electrical systems and pose a fire risk. Installing a whole-house surge protector is particularly useful for insulating your wiring, appliances and HVAC from extreme surges, like those caused by thunderstorms. For any high-priority devices, opt for plug-in surge protectors to safeguard against dangerous voltage spikes. These provide an additional investment in safe electrical and ensuring any key electronics or medical devices are safe from power fluctuations.
5. Keep Electrical Away from Potential Water Damage
Electricity and water are a dangerous combination at home. Direct contact with too much moisture can cause a short circuit or even sparks. Keep appliances away from contact with water, using additional caution in rooms like the bathroom or kitchen, where steam and humidity are highest.
6. Regularly Check Your Electrical System
Make it a habit to check on your home’s power outlets, switches and associated wiring. Signs of wear and tear include cracked or broken outlets, hot, discolored switches and damaged wiring. If you see any unusual signs, such as sparks coming from an outlet or flickering lights, it’s time to call a professional.
7. Prevent Circuit Overloads
Overloaded circuits are a common cause of electrical fires. This is most likely when multiple devices are crammed into one outlet or circuit, risking overheating. To prevent this, evenly distribute the electrical system’s total demand between multiple outlets and circuits.
High-power appliances, like residential refrigeration and cooling systems, should have dedicated circuits to avoid overloading. Using power strips can help you power several electronics, but they should not be used to increase the load on a crowded circuit. Make sure any extension cords also have built-in surge protection for additional safety.
8. Replace Outdated Electrical Before It Becomes Unsafe
Old or outdated wiring is more prone to failure and erratic performance. Ensuring all home electrical stays up to date improves safety and energy efficiency. For instance, your older home may not have GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters), so prioritize having those installed wherever there’s a risk of electrocution if the outlet gets wet. In addition, AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters) help stop fires by detecting and stopping electrical arcs. These will be most effective in the living room and any bedrooms.
9. Work with Local Experts
Working with electrical systems is best left to trained, insured professionals. For minor projects, always cut power to the circuit breaker before getting started and use the proper tools and materials. If you’re not experienced, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician for tasks like electrical rewiring, installing new outlets and any major repairs.
Licensed electricians can stay informed about electrical regulations, which are sometimes changed when responding to new safety concerns. If you’re doing extensive electrical renovations, you’ll also need to pull the necessary permits, which an electrician can handle for you. In many cases, 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 family and property alike. If you need an electrical panel upgrade, ceiling fan installation or washer/dryer hookup, turn to Arundel Cooling. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, safe solutions for all your electrical needs. Contact us today to request licensed electrical services in your area.
