Most Dangerous Electrical Issues for Your Home – Part 1
The great majority of people can’t live without electrical power. Electricity makes our lives more convenient and safer, but it also brings hazards into our home. According to the ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International), there are more than 50,000 electrical home fires annually in the U.S., causing more than 2,500 deaths and injuries to more than 11,000. The following will discuss the most dangerous electrical issues for your home and how to prevent them.
Unsafe Extension Cords
Homeowners often turn to extension cords if there is an area in their house lacking outlets. They are convenient, but they cause more than 3,000 home fires every year. Fortunately, there are four good ways to make using extension cords safer.
- Do not plug two different extension cords together to make a longer one.
- Inspect every extension cord before using it and do not plug it in if it’s damaged.
- Extension cords should not replace professionally installed electrical wiring, therefore they should never be run through walls and inside ceilings permanently.
- Extension cords should never be left lying in wet areas.
The safest approach is to hire a licensed electrician to install additional outlets in the areas of your home where they are needed.
Overloading Outlets
It is unsafe to use multiple power strips or outlet adapters that have several appliances plugged into them because there will be a greater risk of an electrical fire. Each outlet in your home is rated to safely provide a certain amount of electricity. An electrician will be able to determine the safe electrical load for every room in your home. You should make a note of that information to avoid overloading your outlets.
Water and Electricity
It is an old wise adage that water and electricity don’t mix. When they do, it may result in an electrical shock that causes injury or death. As a safety measure, outlets should be positioned as far as possible from water and have a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). Featuring test and reset buttons, GFCI outlets should be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas where water is present.
Part 2 will discuss Defective or Outdated Wiring, Inadequate Electrical Supply, Incorrect Light Bulbs, and Unsafe Outlets.
Electrical Peace of Mind
Providing professional electricians since 1988 in Maryland, Cook Electric is the company you can rely on for all your electrical service needs. For knowledgeable, fair, honest, reliable, and conscientious service, call Cook Electric today at (410) 266-9040. We will be very glad to help you.