Electricity has become a modern necessity, but it was only around 100 years ago that people started using it in their homes. Over the years, electrical systems have become safer, and it’s understandable that most people don’t worry too much about receiving a shock. But, there are a few risks that new technology hasn’t been able to eliminate. Paying attention to the electrical safety hazards that occur in Ocala homes helps you lower the risk of having wiring or an appliance spark a house fire.
Consider Replacing Outdated Wiring
Most homes don’t have electrical wiring from the earliest days of use, but the system in your home could be nearing the end of its lifespan. Modern wiring is designed to be safer and stand up to the power needs required for electronic appliances.
If your home is older, then it could have knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring that needs to be replaced. Newer homes might still have aging wires or an electrical panel that poses a safety hazard. Having a professional electrician assess the wiring system lets you know if it’s time to plan for an upgrade.
Avoid Overloading Circuits
With the rise of people working from home, the electricians at Mister Sparky have started to notice an uptick in overloaded circuit issues. Circuits are designed to handle a specific load that is measured in amps. Once the power demand exceeds this rating, the wires can overheat to the point that they cause an electrical fire.
Flickering lights, frequent tripped circuit breakers and buzzing sounds coming from the outlets are signs that the system is overloaded. You’ll want to be especially concerned if you’ve recently installed new appliances or equipment that increase the power demand. Professional electricians can make sure the current system is capable of handling your household’s power needs and recommend solutions that prevent this common problem.
Watch Out for Damaged or Faulty Wiring
The average homeowner can often spot frayed wiring that poses a risk for shocks and fires. But, detecting damaged wiring on the inside of the walls can be harder. Look for discoloration around the outlets, and know that an electrical problem can cause a fishy or burning smell near fixtures and power sources.
If you’ve recently dealt with a rodent infestation, then it might be worth having the wiring system inspected. Rats and other rodents can chew through wires and create electrical safety hazards in your home.
Use Proper Extension Cord Safety Practices
Extension cords offer many conveniences, and it’s nice to be able to have more freedom with where you use your appliances and equipment. Unfortunately, extension cords are also to blame for many house fires that break out each year, especially around the holidays.
Make sure to only use extension cords that are rated for use with the total wattage of the appliances or equipment that you plan to plug into it. Before you plug in a device, make sure to inspect the cord for damage such as fraying or cracking on the outer surface. Once you are ready to use the cord, plug it into a grounded outlet and make sure to keep it away from water or moisture.
While extension cords are convenient, try to only use them for temporary purposes. Leaving them plugged in for days at a time or using them to power multiple devices can increase the risk of problems.
Protect Children From Electrical Accidents
Children are naturally curious, which can lead to some dangerous situations. If you have children or anticipate young ones visiting, then it helps to eliminate common safety hazards. Outlet covers are a simple solution to preventing children from putting things into the sockets. Practicing good cord management also stops children from being able to pull on them and cause a heavy appliance to fall.
If you use irons, toasters and other heated appliances, then unplug them and put them away when they’re not in use. Once your children are old enough to understand, you can also begin educating them about electrical safety strategies such as avoiding using appliances near water and how to hold a plug when they use an outlet.
Keep Cords and Power Strips Out of Walkways
Shocks aren’t the only injury you can experience from electrical appliances in your home. You’ll also want to be wary of trip-and-fall injuries. Older adults, young children and people with mobility issues are especially at risk for tripping over a cord and getting hurt.
Try to organize cords so that they don’t run across walkways, and consider making appliances more accessible for people who can’t reach or bend well. Placing appliances in safe places helps people to use them without putting themselves in harm’s way.
Know How to Handle An Electrical Emergency
Seeing sparks shooting from an outlet or smelling an odd odor emanating from the wiring are hair-raising experiences that could cause you to make potentially dangerous decisions. When you have an electrician visit, ask them how to shut off power to specific parts of your home or the entire system.
You may also want to practice general fire safety plans with your family and remember never to pour water over an electrical fire. Instead, you’ll want to keep an extinguisher that is rated for electrical fires in your homes, and review how to use one to make it easier to manage a true emergency situation.
Making sure that your home has working and up-to-date fire and carbon monoxide alarms also helps you to stay safe from potential electrical fires. Since overheated wires can take some time to generate noticeable flames, having the appropriate alarm systems can help to alert you faster to a developing problem.
Regular inspections can quickly reveal electrical safety hazards in Ocala homes. For new homes, Mister Sparky electricians typically recommend having inspections conducted every five to 10 years. Older homes and ones that have a history of electrical issues need inspections more often. If you can’t remember when an inspection was done on your home or notice any of these problems at your house, then reach out for immediate assistance from a professional electrician today.