Electrical Safety Month: How To Minimize Your Home’s Electrical Hazards
May is National Electrical Safety Month. This month is all about educating people about electrical-related injuries, fatalities, fire and property loss as a result of electrical hazards. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 400 people are electrocuted in the U.S. ever year. The National Fire Protection Association also reports that there are around 51,000 home electrical fires each year – claiming nearly 500 lives and injuring more than 1,400 people. Luckily, there are ways that you, as a homeowner, can minimize your home’s electrical hazards. Keep you and your family safe this year by following these tips.
1. Check Bulbs For Correct Wattage
Inspect your light bulbs, both inside and outside, for correct wattage. This will not only help prolong the life of your light bulbs, but it’ll also ensure they don’t burn through the socket. Ig your light bulbs are currently using excessive wattage, it can produce additional heat and increase the risk of fire hazards.
2. Unplug Power Tools That Aren’t In Use
Are you planning on doing some home renovation projects this summer? Maybe you’re doing work out in the yard or around the house. Whatever you have planned, make sure you’re unplugging any power tools that you’re not using. This helps avoid fires and/or electric shocks.
3. Don’t Touch Electrical Devices When Wet
With summer right around the corner, it’s important you don’t find yourself swimming with shocks. If you have a pool or hot tub, make sure that people who are swimming or wet don’t touch electrical devices before they dry off. This includes items like the radio and plugged in cell phones. Water and electricity do not mix.
4. Install GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets, also known as ground-fault circuit interrupters, should be installed anywhere there’s a water source present.
5. Avoid Overloading Your Circuits
Circuits can only handle so much of an electrical load before they get overloaded and short-circuit. The most obvious sign that you have a circuit overload on your hands is a tripped breaker and shutting off all the power. Not only can exceeding the rated load for the circuit wiring cause the breaker to trip, but it can also cause the circuit wiring to overheat. This can melt the insulation and cause a fire.
6. Always Clean Lint Traps
Do you always forget to clean out the lint trap in your dryer? Consider this your sign to go clean it out right now! Lint is extremely flammable, and if you neglect to change out the lint trap before drying your clothes, you run the risk of it catching fire. The chance of that happening only increases the more you ignore it.
7. Replace Old Appliances
If you have an appliance that has reached the end of its usable life, then it’s time to consider a replacement. A rogue spark from an appliances cords can easily jump to a flammable material – like a kitchen towel – creating an electrical fire before you know it.
8. Test Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
All this talk about potential fires leads us to one very important tip – test your alarms and detectors! The batteries can die, and other parts of the alarms and detectors in your home can wear out over time. If you test them regularly and replace batteries as needed, you’ll ensure your family stays safe if there were to ever be a fire in your home, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
9. Throw Away Damaged Cords
If you notice any of your extension cords are damaged or frayed, throw them out and replace them. A cord that is frayed, for example, means that the live wire is likely exposed – leaving you prone to electrical fires. Stay safe and throw out cords that are damaged or frayed.
10. Schedule An Electrical Inspection
Last but certainly not least, schedule an electrical inspection with a pro. Each year, it’s a good idea to have a professional electrician out to your home to inspect all the electrical components of your house. It can help ensure everything is in good working condition, and there are no serious electrical hazards to be worried about. However, if they do come across anything concerning, they can fix it right away before it becomes a major problem.
Contact Weeks Service Company Today For All Your Electrical Needs In League City, TX and Surrounding Areas!
Since 1972, Weeks Service Company has been providing quality, professional electrical service to people in League City, Houston, and the surrounding areas. Whether you need an electrical repair, installation, replacement, inspection, or maintenance, we are here for all your electrical needs. Give us a call at 281-738-1362 or contact us online here.