Whether your home needs a few updates or you are working on a project, electricity is nothing to mess around with. There are roughly 51,000 home electrical fires every year. Which account for nearly 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and over $1.3 billion in property damage.
More than 28,000 home fires are caused by arcing faults and the third leading cause of structure fires is the electrical distribution systems.
The Electrical Safety Foundation International offers these safety tips every homeowner should know:
Have your home electrical system thoroughly inspected by qualified electricians to ensure that all electrical work in the home meets the safety provisions in the NEC.
Install smoke detectors on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area.
Ask a qualified electrician if your home would benefit from AFCI protection, especially during inspections of older homes or upgrades to electrical systems. These advanced new safety devices recognize dangerous conditions that are not detected by standard breakers.
Test smoke detectors and AFCIs monthly to ensure that they are working properly.
Establish an evacuation plan that can be used in case of an emergency, and practice with your family.
Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the light fixture.
In homes with young children, install tamper resistant receptacles to prevent electrical shocks and burns.
Conduct a basic assessment of your home electrical system, electrical cords, extension cords, power plugs, and outlets.
Look for telltale signs of electrical problems such as dim and flickering lights, unusual sizzling and buzzing sounds from your electrical system, insulation and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly. Contact a qualified electrician immediately.
Use extension cords only temporarily, and never with space heaters or air conditioners.
Avoid overloading outlets. Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician as needed.
It isn’t always easy to find an affordable and honest electrician to update and maintain your home.
You can count on Sanford Electric Company for fair pricing, guaranteed service, and quality installations. Our highly trained staff provides knowledgeable service that you can trust.
