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Your electrical system is one of the most important systems in your home. However, it can also be one of the most dangerous if you don’t use it properly. Fortunately, by following our electrical safety tips, you can feel much safer around your electrical system.
Be Careful When Placing Your Outdoor Ladder
During the holiday season, many homeowners in Michigan like to do some outdoor decorating. If you like to light up your home’s exterior, then you’ll usually need a ladder. Always look up when maneuvering your ladder to stay free of the overhead power line. Give yourself a 10-foot buffer space to prevent accidentally falling into the line.
Ideally, you’ll want to use a ladder made of material that doesn’t conduct electricity, such as fiberglass or wood. Avoid metal ladders, as they will conduct electricity and cause you to be electrocuted if they touch a power line.
Be Mindful of Cord Ratings
Every electrical cord has a tag that indicates whether the device is rated for indoor or outdoor usage. Devices rated for outdoor usage can handle moist conditions. You can use outdoor-rated devices both inside and out. However, you cannot use indoor-rated items outdoors, as they can’t withstand wet conditions.
Never Overload Outlets
Never overload your outlets with an excess of devices, as this can lead to overheating of the wiring and a potential fire. Avoid permanently using power strips and multi-outlet extenders as much as possible. If you simply don’t have enough outlets in your home to meet your regular electrical demands, then have a licensed electrician install more outlets for you.
Don’t Use Extension Cords Permanently
Extension cords are meant to help temporarily supply power to a fixed location. They’re common to use during the winter season to provide power outdoors for holiday lighting. However, extension cords are not meant to become permanent fixtures in your home. Additionally, never leave a coiled extension cord lying around. This can generate too much heat and lead to a fire. Use an extension cord that is just long enough to meet your needs.
Be Careful of Extension Cord Amperage
Each extension cord has a tag showing its maximum amperage rating. This is the maximum amount of energy that is recommended for the cord. Before you plug anything into your extension cord, take the time to check its maximum amperage. Never plug an item into your extension cord that has a higher amperage than the extension cord is rated for.
Always Unplug Items Before Replacing Bulbs
During the winter, you’ll likely have to deal with bulbs going out on your light strands and decor items. It can be easy to simply grab a new bulb and spin it in. However, make sure that you unplug or shut off the item first. Replacing a bulb with live power going to it could result in electrocution.
Use Appropriate Bulb Wattages
Light bulbs come in a wide variety of wattages, with 60 watts being the most popular. When replacing a blown-out light bulb, be mindful of the wattage of the replacement bull, and try to match the recommended wattage for the fixture. If you don’t have the exact wattage bulb you need, go with a lower wattage instead of a higher one. A higher wattage can pull too much power through the fixture and lead to an electrical fire.
Check Electrical Cords Regularly
If you take a look around your home, you may be surprised at how many electrical cords there are. These include cords for your appliances and electronic devices as well as extension cords. When these cords are damaged, their internal wires can become exposed. Whenever you come into contact with them, you can be electrocuted.
Exposed wiring can also allow arcing that can lead to a fire. Do yourself a favor by checking all your electrical cords for damage every couple of months. If you find damage, unplug the item and have one of our electricians repair it or replace your wiring entirely.
Get an Annual Electrical Safety Inspection
Just like having annual service for your heating system and roof, it’s wise to do the same thing with your electrical system. One of our electricians can inspect all the components of your electrical system to ensure that they’re in good working condition. We’ll be able to catch any potential problems or dangers, so they can be addressed quickly to prevent harm to your home or its occupants.
Never Leave Space Heaters Unattended
Space heaters can be great for providing supplemental heat to cold spots of your home for short times. However, they can be very dangerous when not handled properly. Never use a space heater that burns fuel, like gasoline, indoors. It can emit toxic fumes that can be harmful to your health.
Use only electric-powered space heaters. Also, it’s never a good idea to run these heaters when you’re not present. If they tip over, they can easily start an electrical fire. Always be present in the room when your space heater is running.
Don’t Fold Your Electric Blankets
Electric blankets are a popular way to stay warm during the cold winter season. Unfortunately, they can be dangerous when they’re not handled correctly. When your heated blanket is in use, never fold it. This can cause the wires to be restricted and overheat, leading to an electrical fire.
Keep Your Trees and Shrubbery Trimmed
It’s important to keep your trees and shrubbery trimmed back so that they don’t hang over your power lines. Even if the trees are healthy, a strong wind gust or the weight of snow can cause a branch to crack and fall onto the power line. This can be highly dangerous as well as inconvenient. Aim to get your trees and shrubbery trimmed before the coldest weather arrives.
Consider Using Tamper-Resistant Outlets
If you have small children or pets in your home, there’s always a risk of them becoming electrocuted via your outlets. It could be from sticking something in the outlet slot or your pet licking the outlet. Either way, you want to prevent this problem. Using tamper-resistant outlets is a great way to help prevent any unfortunate accidents from happening.
Install a Whole-Home Surge Protector
A whole-home surge protector is installed at your electrical panel box. It will absorb excess energy that flows to your home due to a power surge, like one from a lightning strike. By absorbing this power, it can prevent damage to your electrical system, electronic devices, and appliances.
Expert Electrical Inspection Service
Service Professor offers expert electrical services like inspections, repairs, and more to our customers in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Grand Ledge, and the surrounding areas. We can assist with all your cooling, heating, indoor air quality, dryer vent cleaning, air duct cleaning, thermostat, drain, sewer, electrical, and plumbing needs.
Call our team today to book a service consultation with one of our electricians.
