Home Electrical Safety Tips You Should Know

According to The National Fire Protection Association, fire departments across the United States responded to an estimated 34,000 home structural fires between 2014 through 2018. These were fires caused by electrical malfunction or failure and exclude other causes. These fires caused approximately 1.4 billion dollars in property damage, 1,100 injuries and 470 deaths.

Electricity is one of those conveniences that is all too often taken for granted. Most of us do not even think about flipping the light switch, it is like second nature. The statistics however are all too real and electrical safety in the home is often overlooked.

Concerned About Electrical Safety At Home? Review These Electrical Safety Tips To Make Your Home Safer.

The local Mesa AZ electricians at Dolce Electric Company are committed to home electrical safety and we hope that you will take the time to review our recommended home electrical safety tips and avoid becoming another statistic.

Install AFCI Circuit Breakers:

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters or AFCI’s are a special kind of circuit breaker that detect sudden bursts of electrical current much faster than normal circuit breakers. Dolce Electric Company strongly recommends installing AFCI circuit breakers. They are designed to respond faster and reduce electrical injuries and fires. All homes built after 2005 were required to have AFCI circuit breakers. If your home was built before 2005, consider having them installed for greater safety.

Use Extension Cords For Temporary Power Only:

Use extension cords on a temporary basis only. When using extension cords, avoid placing them under carpeting or across doorways. The Electrical Safety Foundation estimates that approximately 3,300 residential electrical fire are caused each year by extension cords.
Avoid using small wire gauge extension cords. Cords with a larger wire sizes can safely deliver more power without overheating.
Avoid using extension cords for major appliances like washers, dryers, stoves, air conditioners and refrigerators. These should all be plugged directly into the wall outlet for safety.
Repair or replace damaged, loose and fraying cords that are attached to appliances and devices.

Get GFCI Outlets Installed:

Check for GFCI outlets in the bathrooms, kitchen, garage, laundry area and outdoors. They should be tested frequently by pushing the test button. If your home does not have GFCI protection in these areas, Dolce Electric Company strongly recommends upgrading to them for your safety.

Place Lamps On Stable Surfaces:

Place lamps on sturdy surfaces and away from things that can burn. Consider pets and kids that live in your home and the possibility of your lamps getting knocked over. Do not exceed the manufactures recommended light bulb size for safety.

Size Light Bulbs Correctly:

Do not oversize light bulbs. Replacing a 60 watt light bulb with a 100 watt light bulb might seem like a simple solution to get additional light but it will also generate excessive heat. This is especially dangerous when done on ceiling fixtures because heat rises and can actually bake the insulation on the wires above. The danger is further compounded because any other material in close proximity above will also been exposed to this heat. This makes the materials above more likely to ignite if these wire short out. Look into LED Lighting and CFL bulb replacements for safety if you need additional light from a specific fixture. They will save you money on your electric bill too.

Avoid Overloading Power Outlets:

Avoid plugging more than one heat-producing appliance (like a toaster or coffee pot) into the same electrical outlet. These appliances require more electrical power than non-heat producing appliances. Combined, they can cause the electrical outlet to become overloaded.
Replace electrical outlets that have black or burning streaks on the face. This is a sign that a poor connection is being made at the outlet and excessive heat is being produced.
Replace electrical outlets if anything plugged in falls out easily. This indicates that the prongs that grip the inserted plugs are wearing out. Loose electrical connections like this generate excessive heat at the contact points.
Repair electrical outlets that are not working. This suggests a loose wire or some other electrical problem in the circuit.

Get Wiring Problems Fix Quick:

If you are experiencing frequent circuit breakers tripping, fuses blowing or lights unexpectedly dimming or flickering, it suggests an electrical problem exists. Have the problem looked into and corrected by a qualified electrician as soon as possible. It will need to be addressed sooner or later and it remains a safety issue until it gets corrected.

Child Proof Your House If You Have Young Kids:

Electrical safety for kids is often overlooked. If you have kids, consider using tamper resistant outlets to avoid accidental electrocution. Tamper resistant outlets make it much harder for kids to insert things and get hurt. All new home are required by code to have these.
If you do not have tamper resistant outlets, consider using plastic safety inserts to plug up unused outlets.

If you have a question about any of these electrical safety tips or a safety issue in your home, give us a call. Dolce Electric Company schedules an in-office electrician Mesa AZ homeowners can call free of charge to discuss any electrical safety issue regarding the electricity in your home.