How To Prevent Common Electrical Hazards In Your Home

There is no doubt electricity is an essential part of our modern day lives. We have grown so familiar with it that we don’t even realize its usability to perform different tasks. In addition, we give very little thought to the hazards of electricity and the kind of damage they can inflict upon. Electricity itself is a serious hazard that can trigger very serious accidents. It requires you to be very careful in these matters and never hire unprofessional and uncertified electricians. For safety purposes, we recommend an electrician level 2. Here are a few things you should always take care of regarding electrical safety in your home:

1. Faulty Wiring

Poor wiring is one of the most common reasons of tragic residential fires, and unfortunately we neglect this aspect. Common signs of poor wiring include untimely flickering of lights, tripping of breakers, warm sockets and sparks. If you notice any of these signs in your home, immediately call a level 2 electrician to get your faulty wiring repaired. Other than that, have a certified electrician check and inspect the electric work in your home after every few years.

2. Install GFCI Protected Outlets

Two-thirds of all electrocutions in homes could be averted if homeowners employed the GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles. Its purpose is to protect people from electrical shock. This outlet keeps monitoring the difference in the current flow. So, how it works? When it senses the occurrence of a ground fault and shuts off the electricity flow instantly. The good thing is you can do the installation yourself as well, but when it comes to electricity it is always recommended to get help of a certified electrician to do the job.

3. Avoid Overloading Power Points

Power points or sockets are made to cater only a certain amount of electricity at once. Plugging too many appliances and overloading your electric sockets may cause a very dangerous fire. Plug adaptors are indeed a big help, but never abuse them by plugging in all heavy-duty appliances at once. These small reckless mistakes initiate most of the residential fires. A more safe approach is to install power strips involving a circuit breaker with them, which interrupts the electric flow when overloaded.

4. Avoid Operating Faulty Appliances

Because of our hoarding habits, we hold onto things as long as we can. When it comes to home appliances, it is almost impossible to get rid of one unless it absolutely stops functioning. Using malfunctioning appliances, such as a smoking toaster or noisy washing machine can be very dangerous. Try simple fixes like resetting the machine, but if those do not make any difference, get it professionally repaired.

5. Avoid Connecting Or Disconnecting Under Load

When you unplug a device while it’s still on, the electricity flow might generate an arc. Always remember to turn off the appliance before plugging it in or out. If the machine malfunctions, cut the main electricity supply and then unplug the machine. With a little precaution, you can avoid the dangerous arcs.

Here are a few more electrical tips to keep your home safe.