Electricity is necessary for modern life, but if you don’t handle it safely, you might experience shock or even start a house fire. To reduce hazards and protect your property, let’s take a look at some tips for electrical safety in your home
Electrical Safety and Damaged Electrical Cords
To keep your family members safe, pay attention to electrical cords. Get into the habit of checking cords when you plug an appliance or device in. Look for damaged areas where the protective covering is missing. Frayed or damaged cords with exposed wiring should never be used. Replace the electrical cord or purchase a new appliance if the wires become exposed.
Unplug Appliances
Some appliances will draw small amounts of energy even when they are not being used. Unplugging electronic devices and appliances will save power and reduce your energy bill. When appliances are left plugged into an outlet, a power surge could overload them, causing damage or a fire. Unplug your appliances and safely wrap the cords away after you’re finished using them.
Overloading Outlets
Plugging too many devices into an outlet can overload the circuit and cause a fire. While finding the exact amount of power each of your outlets provides requires some research, you can still practice electrical safety by using common sense.
Appliances that use a lot of power, such as a refrigerator or space heater, should always have their own outlets. Less power-hungry items, such as a lamp and the coffee maker, can share a power outlet. If you frequently trip a breaker in your home, check the devices you have plugged in and redistribute them to other locations.
Extension Cords
We often use extension cords, but it’s important to make sure to use them safely. Never connect two extension cords together. If the extension cord you have isn’t long enough, purchase a longer one. If you often need extension cords in your home, hire a professional electrician to install more outlets throughout your home.
Hiring a Pro is Important for Electrical Safety
If you’re having problems with any components of the electrical system in your home, hire a professional. A qualified electrician has the training and experience to perform repairs quickly and safely. Electrical repairs should never be attempted by a homeowner. At the first sign of a problem, call a pro to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Second Opinion Home Inspections provides inspection services to customers in Door and Kewaunee counties. Contact us to request an appointment.