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The Most Common Electrical Dangers in the Home and How to Plan for an Emergency

Understanding the ins and outs of the most common types of electrical dangers around the house is essential. Below, you’ll learn more about these hazards and what to look for so you know how to plan for an emergency and when to contact an emergency electrician to come to your place.

Problematic Wiring

If you have bad or outdated wiring, it is just a matter of time before you have serious electrical problems. Faulty wiring is one of the major causes of fires in the home. Older wiring may become worn out and frayed over time warns Windermere Property Management company. Additionally, rodents could chew through wiring fully or partially, which can lead to many problems.

To keep these risks to a minimum, you will want to have an expert electrician come to check your home every few years. They can let you know whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.

If you are dealing with breakers constantly tripping or have flickering lights in the home, it’s a good idea to connect with an emergency electrician. They could be signs that you need to get the wiring looked at immediately.

Overloading Power Strips and Outlets

Your outlets and power strips are designed to handle a certain amount of electricity. When you plug in too many devices or have several high voltage devices plugged into a power strip, it could cause an overload to the circuit. This could mean the circuit breaker trips again and again… or you have a fire in your home.

Always use common sense when using power strips. Don’t plug adapters into a power strip to add more spots for additional devices. Additionally, don’t plug two or more power strips together. This can lead to an overload.

If you are using power strips, make sure you use models with a circuit breaker. This way, if the power strip becomes too hot, the breaker on the strip will trip. This will reduce the risk of a fire. Always choose high-quality options when buying power strips, as well as appliances.

Water and Electric Appliances

Water and electricity do not mix. It’s far too dangerous. If you have a plugged-in appliance that gets wet, don’t just reach for the plug and unplug it. There is a risk of electrocution if you do. Instead, you will want to turn off your home’s main power and ensure the appliance no longer has power. Then, you can unplug it safely.

It’s a good idea to keep the electrical appliances on the counter in the kitchen or the bathroom as far away from water as possible.

Not Protecting Outlets

One of the other electrical dangers you must consider regarding electricity and outlets will be your kids. Young children are curious and might want to know more about the outlet. This could be extremely dangerous if they were to put an object or their finger into the outlet. It could cause a burn, shock, or worse.

You can easily protect young children from these electrical dangers by using covers for outlets within their reach. You could also opt for specialized wall plates meant to keep kids safe. They have covers that keep the outlet hidden when you aren’t using it.

Extension Cord Problems

Many people do not realize that not all extension cords are the same. They have different ratings and capacities. When they are used improperly, it could create a fire risk. Make sure the cord can provide enough power to the appliance you are using. You also need to be sure the cord is in good shape. If it is frayed or damaged, you will want to replace it rather than use it again.

Old and Unsafe Appliances

Sometimes, older appliances end up being problems. They might cause circuit breakers to keep tripping. They might get abnormally hot when you are using them. They could have any number of issues, and this means they are unsafe.

If an appliance starts to malfunction when you use it, the best thing to do is turn off the home’s main power. Then, when there is no electricity, you can unplug the appliance. If this occurs, you will want to get a new appliance or have it professionally repaired. Continuing to use the appliance would simply be too dangerous. It could cause an electrical fire, burns, shocks, and other injuries.

Planning for an Emergency

Emergencies often strike without warning. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be at least somewhat prepared for them. Below are a few things you will want to keep in mind.

If you notice electrical dangers in the home, you first need to cut the power. Turn it off at the main source. Then, check for some of the issues mentioned above. Did the power circuit keep tripping because you have too many appliances plugged into a single outlet? If not, it could be due to faulty wiring or issues with an appliance.

Electricity has the potential to be very dangerous. You don’t want to take matters into your own hands. If you feel that there could be a problem with your electricity right now, whether it’s the wiring or another issue, don’t wait to get an expert involved. Even before you have an emergency, it is a good idea to start looking up electricians for emergency services and basic maintenance and repair. Get their contact information now and hold onto it if you need it later.

Connect with an emergency electrician as soon as possible when you have electrical issues that could be dangerous. You should let the experts check out the property to ensure there are no risks to you and your family. If there are, let them make the necessary fixes. For a great example, check out Hilton Electrical in Perth

Featured Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay