There are several common electrical hazards you may experience in your home that can cause anything from electrical shock to fire. Read on to learn about the warning signs of 7 common hazards and what you should do about them.
Faulty Wiring or Outlets
Faulty wiring is a common cause of fires in homes. If you live in an older home you may have wiring that is not up to current code. Wiring can be damaged by mice and other pests, or it’s possible that you may have outdated or incorrectly installed wiring your home.
Here are some warning signs that you may have an issue with your wiring or outlets:
- Lights start flickering or dimming, especially if it’s more than one light or in more than one room
- Outlets are warm to the touch or show signs of melting or burning
- The outlets themselves, or the wall around your outlets, are discolored or yellowed
- The breakers trip excessively
- You notice unusual smells from outlets or appliances
- You hear crackling or buzzing noises
- Walls feel warm to the touch
If you feel you may have faulty wiring or outlets in your home, don’t take a chance. Contact Fowler Electric today and we’ll check it out.
Water
Water and electricity do not play well together. Be sure to keep small appliances away from water, and be sure your hands are dry when using electrical appliances. Although it’s handy to keep your hair dryer in the bathroom, be sure your hands are dry before you plug in and turn it on.
The same is true in the kitchen. You’re hands may be wet from washing dishes or cooking, be sure to dry them before using electric appliances.
A GFCI outlet is a type of outlet that, in the simplest terms, has a circuit breaker within it. The outlet is always sensing the flow of current through its circuit, and will “trip” or break the circuit instantly when it senses that the circuit has been broken. So if you drop your toaster into the kitchen sink, the GFCI will trip and close the circuit, saving you from quite a shock.
GFCIs have been mandatory by the National Electric Code in kitchens since 1987 and in bathrooms since 1975, as well as other locations in and around your house. However, those codes only apply to new construction. If you own an older home, consider upgrading to GFCI outlets for safety’s sake.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Light bulbs seem pretty harmless, and for the most part incandescent bulbs are. However, they do get very hot. Incandescent bulbs work by heating up a filament–hot enough that it glows. Most of us have probably touched a hot bulb at one point or another it, and the mere existence of the Easy Bake Oven shows you how hot a bulb can get.
For this reason, it’s important to be careful that your bulbs don’t touch anything flammable, like curtains or lamp shades.
Cords
Misusing both appliance or fixture cords and extension cords is a common electrical hazard that can lead to electrical shock or fires, so keep the following in mind:
- Appliance cords should never be covered up with rugs or carpet. This can prevent them from correctly releasing heat and can lead to a fire.
- Keep cords away from places you’ll be walking so they don’t become a trip hazard.
- Don’t crimp cords, it can break down the cord’s insulation which could lead to electrical shock.
- Never use nails or staples to secure cords.
Extension Cords
Extension cords are very handy, but they can also be a common electrical hazard. What goes for the cords connecting your appliances and fixtures also goes for extension cords. But there’s a few more potential electrical hazards with extension cords you should avoid.
- Never hook two extension cords together.
- Similarly, don’t plug a power strip into an extension cord.
- Don’t use a converter to plug a 3 prong extension cord into a 2 prong outlet.
- Be careful not to overload extension cords. Check out the wattage capacity of the cord and be sure to stay under the limit.
Lastly, be sure to keep an eye on your cords. If you notice any fraying or breaks in the outer casing, stop using the cord immediately and get it replaced.
Appliances
Faulty appliances can cause short circuits, damage to electrical systems and even fires. Keep an eye on your appliance cords and the outlets they’re plugged into for signs of damage. If your breakers are tripping every time you use a certain appliance, you may have a problem with the appliance itself. Stop using the appliance immediately to avoid causing shocks, burns, fire or damage to your home’s electrical system.
Kids
Kids, especially toddlers, are curious. Electrical outlets are often close to the floor–right at their height. You don’t want a child’s curiosity to lead him or her to stick a fork or penny or anything into an outlet. Thankfully, this is an easy electrical hazard to avoid.
Protect your little ones buy using outlet covers anywhere your kids can reach them. That might mean up high as well, once the kids get to that climbing stage. You can also go a step further installing tamper proof outlets around your home. If you need help with the installation, let us know.
If you’re at all worried about any of these common electrical hazards, call Fowler Electric. We can troubleshoot potential problems or make upgrades for your safety. Get in touch today!
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Feature Image by Kirk Fisher from Pixabay
