How Households Can Keep Their Homes Safe
Homeowners need to address electrical issues of any significance quickly to avoid dangerous situations. From malfunctioning outlets to outdated electrical panels, households must act quickly to prevent potential fires, electrocution, and even inconveniences throughout the home.
During May, which is Electrical Safety Month, electricians recommend ensuring homes are safe, ensuring electrical systems are working correctly to avoid electrical hazards, and understanding when to call an electrician for services.
How To Avoid Overloaded Outlets and Circuits
A risky situation in homes is an overloaded electrical outlet or circuit. It can pose severe risks to homeowners and their families if this happens. If too many appliances are trying to be powered by an outlet, it can lead to problems like overheated wires, arcing, and circuit breaker issues. When this happens, households can be at risk of fires, and family members can suffer from shocks.
When overloaded, circuits can also lead to inconveniences throughout a house. The lights might dim, appliances might not work, power outages can happen, and other issues.
To avoid these problems, electrical contractors recommend taking these steps:
- Take precautions not to plug too many items into an electrical outlet. Households should also use power strips with surge protection.
- Unplug unused electronics. These can use electricity, even when they are not in use.
- Use dedicated circuits for large appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines.
- Label your electrical system to help electricians quickly identify which circuits power which outlets.
Property owners must hire experienced electricians to inspect outlets and circuits and determine if defects must be repaired or addressed. This will keep the system running correctly and keep the household safe.
Benefits of Adding Childproof Outlets
An overlooked electrical device many families neglect to install is childproof outlets. These offer safe alternatives to plastic outlet covers many parents might use and provide tamper-resistant outlets to keep young children safe.
When childproofing homes, these outlets are ideal. They offer many benefits to households, including:
- Better Electrical Safety: Childproof outlets have built-in shutters that block access to the live electrical contacts. This helps reduce the risk of electrical shock to toddlers who put a toy or object into the outlet.
- Decreased Fire Risk: Tamper-resistant outlets prevent young children from inserting metal objects into outlets, which can lead to sparking and potentially a fire.
- Assurances for Parents: Adding an extra layer of protection by installing childproof outlets can provide significant peace of mind for parents. These devices give parents confidence that their children are less likely to get hurt by accidentally coming into contact with live electrical currents.
When To Call an Electrician
To keep households safe, homeowners must know when to call an electrician. When electrical problems occur, households must hire an experienced electrical contractor to repair and replace them.
There are numerous warning signs homeowners can watch for that can indicate they need professional electrical services, including:
- Hot Outlets or Switches: Warm outlets or switches indicate a problem that can pose a fire hazard. If homeowners notice outlets are hot when plugging or unplugging an item, they should schedule services with an electrician.
- Flickering or Dimming Lights: If families notice flickering or dimming lights, it can indicate a loose connection or an overloaded circuit. Homeowners need to call an electrician to accurately diagnose and repair the issue.
- Electrical Shocks: A light switch or outlet shock should be addressed immediately, as it can indicate a serious issue. This can be due to faulty wiring that needs to be inspected as soon as possible.
- Burning Odors: Burning odors coming from outlets or switches can be a potential fire hazard and must be inspected by an electrician. To reduce risks, homeowners might turn off the power to the affected circuit immediately and call an electrician immediately.
- Buzzing Sounds: Buzzing sounds from switches or outlets can indicate serious problems, like loose wiring, overloaded circuits, or other electrical problems. Homeowners need to call for electrical repairs as soon as possible.
Homeowners need to call an electrician as soon as they notice these symptoms. The faster they schedule repairs or replacements, the sooner safety can be restored to homes.
About E.F. Winslow Home Services
The team at E.F. Winslow Home Services honors its commitments. They provide 24/7 live answering and emergency services and bring over 50 years of experience. Call them today for electrical services in South Yarmouth, MA.
