How to Maintain Electrical Safety and Prevent Shocks, Fires and Outages

Electricity is an essential part of daily life, from lights and TVs to the fridge and AC. However, with the benefits of electrical appliances comes the need for caution. After all, electric currents can be dangerous if not handled properly. Improper electrical work, overloaded circuits and faulty electronics can all result in damage to the entire system. Follow these essential electrical safety tips at home to prevent shocks, fire hazards and electricity outages.

1. Inspect Your Electrical System Regularly

Make it a habit to check on your home’s outlets, switches and wiring. Signs of damage include cracked or broken outlets, warm or discolored switch plates and frayed wires. If you notice 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 can happen when multiple devices are crammed into one outlet or circuit, causing it to overheat. To prevent this, evenly distribute the electrical system’s total demand across multiple outlets and circuits.

Major appliances, like most refrigerators and cooling systems, should have dedicated circuits to minimize the risk of overloading. Using power strips can help you manage multiple devices more easily, but they should never be used to increase the load on a crowded circuit. Make sure any power strips also have built-in surge protection for added safety.

3. Plug and Unplug Appliances, Electronics Safely

Following safety guidelines whenever you handle your sockets, wiring and appliances greatly impacts household electrical safety. Always gently press plugs all the way into the socket before turning on the device. If the plug is loose and falls out, consider calling an electrician for help. When unplugging devices, pull from the plug itself rather than somewhere on the cord to prevent damage.

4. Keep Electrical Away from Potential Water Damage

Electricity and water are a dangerous combination at home. Direct contact with too much moisture risks a sudden electrical short or even sparks. Keep appliances away from plumbing, using additional 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Old or outdated wiring is at a higher risk of failure and erratic performance. Keeping the home electrical well-maintained improves both the safety and energy efficiency of your home. For example, your older home may not have GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters), so look into having those installed wherever there’s a risk of electrocution if the outlet gets wet. Additionally, this includes the similar arc fault interrupters, which help lower the risk of electrical fires by preventing electrical arcs. These are recommended for bedrooms and other living spaces.

6. Use the Right Light Bulbs

Always prioritize light bulbs that align with the recommended wattage for your fixtures. Using a bulb with higher wattage than specified may cause overheating and damage to the fixture. Opt for LED bulbs, a more durable, energy-saving option to incandescent bulbs. They also produce less heat, making them the natural choice.

7. Use Surge Protectors

Power surges can cause widespread damage and even pose a fire hazard. Installing a whole-house surge protector is particularly smart for insulating your entire electrical system and HVAC from external surges, such as those caused by lightning. For any high-priority devices, opt for 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 losing power.

8. Keep Your Family Informed on Electrical Safety

Speak with your family about these electrical safety tips to make sure they learn and follow all the recommendations. Teach children not to insert anything into open sockets, tug on plugs and wiring or handle electrical devices without supervision. Discuss emergency procedures with your family, including how to use a fire extinguisher and the importance of not using water on an electrical fire. Teaching your family creates a safer environment for everyone.

9. Hire a Trained Professional

Working with electrical systems is best left to trained, insured professionals. For simple jobs, always turn off the power at the breaker box before getting started and use the right tools and supplies. If you’re not experienced, it is better to hire a qualified electrician for more complex jobs like whole-house rewiring, outlet installation and any major repairs.

Certified electricians know how to navigate any local regulations, which are sometimes changed as a response to new safety hazards. If you’re doing major electrical work, you’ll also need to prepare any required permits, which an electrician can handle for you. In the end, DIY fixes often cause more harm than good, so stay safe and keep your home up to code by hiring an electrician.

Book Professional, Licensed Electrical Services

Guaranteeing electrical safety prevents problems and protects your household and family alike. The next time you need a breaker panel upgrade, ceiling fan installs or washer/dryer hookup, trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, safe solutions for all residential electrical needs. Contact us today to request licensed electrical services in your area.