Safety should be the priority in every family. You probably teach your children not to put their scissors in the outlets and to keep appliances away from the water. Beyond these basic safety items, few people know how to handle their electrical system safely. It can require a great deal of research for them to understand whether their current electrical problem is a safety hazard or not. It’s best to keep yourself informed of a few basic safety practices related to your system.
What should you know about electrical safety in your home? Be sure to read through these top tips thoroughly!
A hot outlet is a problem
Have you ever put your hand in front of your electrical outlet only to feel gentle waves of heat radiating from it? You may want to think twice before you add any more plugs to this outlet. The heat could be a sign that you have overloaded the circuit or that the wires are melting behind the faceplate. Both of these can spell major trouble for your home.
Keep water away from your outlets
Electricity and water don’t create a winning combination. You should ensure that water stays back from all of your outlets as much as possible. This is particularly true for outlets that are not considered to be GFCI. Keep in mind that current codes dictate that any outlet near the water (including those in the kitchen and bathroom) should be GFCI. Call your local electrician to have your outlets updated immediately, if not.
Replace damaged power cords
Some people believe in using their power cords until they no longer work. Despite the fact that they have exposed wires hanging out the sides, many people will continue to keep these cords plugged in. You need to immediately tape up these exposed wires with electrical tape or unplug them whenever possible. Exposed wiring can lead to electrical fires or shocks. Damaged power cords need to be replaced as soon as possible.
Make sure appliances are grounded
Older homes may not have all of their outlets grounded. You can identify a grounded outlet as one with a small third hole at the bottom of each plug-in area. This is essential to help prevent shocks from appliances, but it is even more important for major appliances like the stove or the dryer. Contact an electrician to help you create more grounded outlets if you find that your appliances could be in danger.
Familiarize yourself with the system
The best thing you can do to keep your family safe is to familiarize yourself with the electrical system. You should know the manufacturer of your panel, how your breakers work, and how old your wiring is. All of these things can help you to make safer and wiser decisions for your home moving forward.
When you need help making upgrades to your home, you should call the capable electrical contractors at Powertec Electric. They can help you to get started on the right foot when it comes to the electrical safety of your home!