Performing safety checks before leaving for vacation is crucial. Neglecting electrical issues like loose electrical wirings, appliance overheating problems, and non-working essential electrical devices will ultimately lead to devastating consequences. Protect your home from risks of fire and other hazards by doing these essential electrical checks.

Inspect the electrical cords and power strips.

Over time, electrical cords and power strips will deteriorate due to continuous usage, wear and tear, and improper storage, and regular inspection is important to identify potential hazards that could compromise the safety of homeowners. When leaving the home, always perform inspections and tests.

Make sure the electrical cords are not overheating. Remove the dust and debris from the power strips and disconnect them from the outlet when not in use. When inspecting the electrical cords or power strips, look for any significant issues. Do not attempt to DIY electrical repairs if you lack the experience handling concerns as doing so without understanding the proper steps to troubleshoot electrical systems can cause serious injuries and even fatalities.

Make sure the smoke detectors are working.

Smoke detectors are essential for keeping your home safe while you are away. If you are using traditional smoke detectors, replace their batteries when necessary and always check if they are working properly. Smoke detectors often only last up to 10 years before they start showing signs of defects and malfunctioning, so check the expiry date and replace components or the device when necessary.

For smart smoke detectors, check their internet connectivity and wiring. Make sure there are no loose connections or incorrect wire pairings that can damage the device and cause it to malfunction.

Check the surge protections.

Another inspection you need to perform before leaving your home is to check and troubleshoot the home surge protectors. These devices are essential for preventing potential hazards, especially during sudden voltage spikes. 

First, visually inspect the surge protector for any signs of burns or damaged marks. If there are cracked or melted parts, avoid using them to prevent risks of fire. Next, test the buttons and make sure they are working. 

If you have any doubts about the condition or functionality of your surge protectors, consult with local electricians in your area. Arvada local residential electricians can help confirm if the surge protector is properly grounded, detect potential repairs, and perform electrical troubleshooting when needed.

Check your lighting systems.

Inspecting your lighting system is vital for keeping your home safe. Faulty lights can lead to situations such as short circuits and even house fires. Dealing with defective light bulbs right away can prevent accidents and protect you and your home from dangers, which is why regular inspection is essential to preventing potential electrical issues and solutions.

The performance of the lighting system is often impacted by its condition. Malfunctioning or sudden flickering of the lights is a good indication of problems with the light bulbs or electrical wirings of the house. Detecting these problems before leaving for vacation is crucial to ensuring the safety of your home.

Inspect the circuit breakers.

Checking your home’s circuit breakers is another significant part of your electrical checks and is vital to ensuring the protection of your household from electrical failures. Circuit breakers are designed as a safety device that protects against power overloads and short circuits, however, they too can get damaged and malfunction. But, visual inspection of the circuit breaker is not enough to guarantee safety. If you do not have the experience and knowledge to identify and address potential issues with the circuit breaker, call a professional Arvada electrician. 

Circuit breakers are crucial devices, especially for distributing electricity throughout your house, so it is essential to conduct regular inspections and to let expert electrical contractors perform electrical repairs and maintenance when needed. Professional electricians like ElectriCall can help with home wiring and rewiring, GFCI outlet installation, electrical troubleshooting, electrical installations, and more.

Unplug non-essential electronic devices.

Before leaving your home, it is also important to unplug non-essential devices and appliances to increase the safety of your home against electrical hazards. Leaving electrical devices plugged into an outlet for a long time can cause serious safety issues, as they can get damaged, become faulty, and cause electrical sparks and fires. 

Electronic devices that are left plugged in can contribute to the overloading of the electrical system. Each device draws power from the electrical circuits and ultimately causes the circuit breaker to trip or electrical wiring to get damaged. Ensure that the non-essential electronics are unplugged and make sure the essential home appliances like the refrigerators are plugged in properly.

Check the sump pump and perform maintenance.

The sump pump is an electrical device that is designed to get rid of the excess water that accumulates in the basement or lower areas of your property. This device operates with electrical components and wirings, and thus needs to be checked every once in a while for safety precautions. 

Inspect the home appliances.

Another inspection you must do before leaving your home for a long time is to ensure essential appliances are plugged in properly with no signs of wear and tear, burns, or loose electrical connections that may lead to problems. Addressing the issues with home appliances can prevent electrical problems from escalating into dangerous situations.

Faulty appliances consume more energy and have the potential to cause power overload, and many home appliances are covered with warranties that include maintenance coverage. So, when in doubt, call for professional backup. It is best to have your home appliances serviced by the manufacturer or call a professional Arvada electrician. 

Home appliances often have complex electrical systems, so using their warranty for inspection and maintenance is highly recommended. If the warranty has expired, calling professional Arvada electricians for assistance is your next best step. Do not attempt to DIY electrical work without proper qualification to avoid causing more issues.

Shut off water heating devices.

Leaving water heating devices plugged in while you are away may compromise the safety of your home as they have the potential to overheat and cause hazards. Conducting regular electrical checks on your home’s water heating devices is crucial to proactively inspect and resolve potential issues.

The proper functioning of the water heating devices depends on the condition of the electrical components — check if its warranty covers inspection and maintenance, or repairs in case of damage. Having these kinds of devices checked regularly will reduce energy waste, and timely detection and resolution of problems will provide peace of mind.

Hire a Professional Arvada electrical contractors

Conducting electrical checks before going on vacation will minimize the risks of electrical problems while you are away. Significant concerns such as frayed wires, improper grounding, and faulty electrical connections can be eliminated through professional electrical inspection and maintenance. Following the electrical checks we have listed above will help you enjoy your vacation.

Electrical issues can be mitigated with proper electrical troubleshooting by seasoned electricians. If you need professional Arvada local electricians, consult with us. We provide home electrical repair services and can assist homeowners in keeping their property safe through correct electrical installation, repair, and maintenance.