When you think of home safety, you likely think of baby-proofing medicine cabinets and areas that you keep cleaning supplies so small children and pets can’t get to them. Hopefully, your mind also turns to your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—both vital in giving homeowners and home occupants warnings in case of a CO leak or a fire.
But what about the other dangers that exist, such as the cause of most home fires? According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately 26,000 residential fires a year are caused by faulty home wiring, many of which result in fatalities. Electrical hazards are, unfortunately, something that goes unnoticed by too many homeowners, until it’s too late. While you can count on us for quality Loveland, OH electrical services, we want to ensure that you are protected from electrical hazards to begin with. Keep reading for some tips on how you can find hazards that could be lurking around your living space.
Look for Loose Fitting Plugs
Check all of your electrical outlets. Do any of them have loose-fitting plugs? This can cause electrical shock and start fires. This can happen due to broken wall plates—be sure to have any fractured plates replaced, and if you have young children or pets, make sure safety covers are used on all unused outlets.
Don’t Overload Outlets
Power strips are very convenient, but you should be careful as to how much power you’re demanding from them. If you have things like your laptop, cell phone, television, etc. all plugged into one strip, you may want to shut off the power strip once your batteries are charged or you aren’t using these items, and/or when you aren’t home.
Have Your Electrical Panel Checked
Are your breakers and fuses properly rated for the circuit they are protecting? You may not know what the correct rating is, but that’s okay—you need simply to give our professional electricians a call and we will check this for you.
Check Your Light Bulbs for Proper Wattages
Do the wattage levels of your light bulbs and appliances match the fixtures in which they exist? Be sure not to replace bulbs with those that have higher wattage than recommended. In addition, make sure that your light bulbs are screwed in securely to prevent overheating.
See That Your Outlets Are Up-To-Date
Older homes may not have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) where they need to be—in rooms that have water in them like your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room. GFCI outlets are relatively inexpensive and are designed to shut the power off instantly if there is a problem, helping to make your home safer.
Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) work by monitoring the flow of electricity through the network around them—shutting off power when there is a short-circuit. These should be installed in the bedrooms of your home.
Have Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Hard-Wired
Smoke detectors should be installed in all bedrooms and in hallways within 15 feet of bedrooms—with at least one smoke detector on each level of your home. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be within 15 feet of each bedroom. If you have any questions or concerns about your smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation, or anything else we’ve mentioned above, please do not hesitate to reach out to our professional electricians!
Contact us today for more great safety tips and to schedule your electrical services. Servall Electric Company—Creating Sustainability through Bright Ideas.
