How to Avoid Electrical Mishaps

The electrical system in your home is an integral part of your life, but it can also be costly and dangerous. So, despite how important it is in our daily lives, electrical mishaps can be a very serious problem, especially if they are not caught in time. There are some simple things that you can do to prevent an electrical mishap from occurring. These include:

Use More Than One Outlet

If you only have one outlet in a room and it goes out, you’ll need to move all of your devices to another room. To avoid this problem, use two or three outlets throughout the house. You may even want to consider installing a power strip for smaller items that don’t need their own outlets. This way, if one item goes out, it won’t affect the others plugged into the strip.

Feel Your Outlets

If an outlet is warm or hot, you should replace it immediately. This means there’s too much heat coming off the wires inside it — which can lead to fire hazards — or that something has shorted out inside the outlet itself. Either way, it needs replacing before you get shocked or burn down your house!

Child-Proof Your Outlets

Children are curious creatures who love unravelling mysteries — including those involving electricity! So make sure that your child-proofing efforts include outlets. You should have them covered with outlet caps or place them out of reach behind furniture, so they don’t have access to them. If your child is still curious about outlets despite these precautions, consider installing an outlet cover plate with an LED light.

Investigate Flickering Lights

If lights in your home are flickering or dimming, it’s time to investigate. The first thing to do is check the circuit breaker panel to see if any breakers have been tripped. If all breakers are working properly, it may be time to call in an expert.

Install Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters

Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can help prevent fires caused by arcing faults — when electricity jumps from wire to wire instead of flowing through a circuit correctly. AFCIs can detect these problems before they become serious and shut off power automatically to prevent damage to wiring or appliances and to keep people safe from electrocution. AFCIs should be installed in any outlet near water sources such as sinks, tubs and showers; around appliances such as washing machines and dryers; and anywhere else where moisture might get trapped inside electrical boxes.

Avoid overloaded or damaged extension cords

Always use extension cords with the appropriate gauge (thickness) of wire – never use an undersized cord for its intended purpose. Extension cords should not be run under rugs or furniture where they could be damaged by foot traffic or vacuum cleaners. If an extension cord is damaged in any way – melted or frayed insulation – throw it away immediately and replace it with a new one before using it again.

Replace old wiring

If you have old, damaged or worn-out wiring, it’s time to replace it. Old wiring can cause a fire and shock you. If the wiring is damaged, you might not even know about it until there is a problem. It’s important to have your home checked by a professional electrician every few years to ensure your wiring is safe and up to code. If they find any problems with your electrical system, they will repair or replace any faulty wiring as necessary.

Don’t Ignore Persistent Circuit Breaker Trips

If your circuit breaker trips more than once in a short period, there may be an issue with your wiring or other equipment. It’s always best to call an electrician if this happens so they can check out the problem and make any necessary repairs.

Leave Electrical Repairs to the Experts

Electrical repairs should be left to professional electricians unless you have experience with electrical work. If you aren’t sure what you are doing, it’s best to call in someone with the proper training and knowledge of electricity.

Be careful when drilling into walls

Drilling into a wall can cause damage that could expose wires and lead to a fire. Always use a stud finder before drilling into walls so that you don’t drill into an electrical wire or outlet. If there is no stud behind the drywall, don’t drill through it! Instead, consult an electrician about installing a new outlet box behind the drywall.

Don’t overload sockets

Remember that your home’s wiring was designed for a certain amount of current, and if you overload it by plugging in too many items, it could result in a fire or electrocution. If you have multiple appliances plugged into a single outlet, use an extension cord to give each device its own outlet.

Ensure your kids are aware of electrical hazards

Educating your children about the dangers of electricity is one of the simplest things you can do. Teach them how to identify and avoid certain safety hazards, such as frayed wires, overloaded outlets and water near electrical sockets. You should also teach them not to play around with cords or try to fix things themselves when they break or malfunction.

Conclusion

The tips offered here should give you a good starting point for avoiding electrical mishaps. Of course, if you follow these suggestions and find yourself experiencing problems, it is best to contact an electrician as soon as possible. They will be able to recognize the issue and recommend a suitable solution. Electrical safety is vital, so ensure you handle this process correctly and safely.