When it comes to home maintenance and safety, ensuring that you do not have any electrical hazards lurking behind the scenes is a top priority. Not only can electricity damage your property but it can also introduce dangers to the personal health & well-being of your household.
In this blog post, we’ll share 10 electrical safety tips that we believe every homeowner should know:
- Inspect electrical cords for signs of damage such as fraying, exposed wires, or overheating. Your electrician may have tools to help detect heat such as a thermal camera.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets by using power strips or surge protectors with built-in overload protection. Spread out your usage across different outlets to prevent overheating or potential fire hazards.
- Keep electrical appliances away from water sources to prevent electrical shock. This includes making sure that your hands are dry before handling electrical devices and never using them near sinks, bathtubs, or other water sources.
- Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in areas where water is present, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor outlets. GFCIs detect ground faults and quickly shut off power to prevent electric shock.
- Don’t use damaged or worn-out electrical cords, it’s not worth it. Avoid running worn cables under carpets or rugs where they can become damaged by foot traffic or furniture. Instead, use covers or the cords to a wall or baseboard to prevent tripping hazards and unnecessary damage.
- Use the correct wattage light bulbs for fixtures to prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. Check the maximum wattage recommended by the manufacturer and never exceed it.
- Keep flammable materials such as curtains, furniture, and bedding away from electrical heaters, outlets, and appliances to reduce the risk of fire.
- Teach children about the importance of electrical safety and the dangers of playing with electrical outlets or cords. Use outlet covers or caps to prevent young children from inserting objects into outlets.
- Hire a qualified electrician to perform electrical repairs or installations to ensure they are done safely and up to code. Attempting DIY electrical work without the proper knowledge and experience can lead to serious injury or property damage.
- If you experience a power outage or electrical emergency, it’s important to know the location of your circuit breaker or fuse box and how to safely reset a tripped breaker or replace a blown fuse. If you are unsure or uncomfortable handling electrical issues, contact a qualified electrician for assistance.
