Four Electrical Safety Tips to Keep in Mind This Winter

It’s no secret that bad electrical work can cause fires. In fact, every year thousands of home fires occur because of faulty electrical equipment, appliances, and infrastructure. These electrical fires cause property damage and injuries and, in some cases, death. However, these can all be avoided by taking proper care of your residence’s electrical infrastructure as well as proper maintenance and care of your electrical appliances and accessories.

Use Licensed Electricians

Quite often, electrical appliances need maintenance, support, and sometimes replacement. The electrical system also gets weaker with age and will at times need to be repaired, adjusted, and even rewired. When you get work like this performed at your home, make sure that you use a registered licensed electrician and apply for all the necessary permits with your local AHJ — (Authority Having Jurisdiction) and have all work inspected by a certified 3rd Party Inspection Agency. At A-1 Electric, we take care to ensure that all of our electricians and inspectors are certified and trained in the latest techniques from I.A.E.I, NFPA 70 E, and OSHA, as well as several contemporary electrical engineering and installation programs, just to name a few. All of our electricians and inspectors at A-1 Electric are well versed on current and upcoming code cycles as well.

There are many telltale signs of appliances needing electrical repair. One is cracked or torn electrical cords and broken plugs, especially when their inner wiring is exposed. Also keep your nose alert for scents of burning or melting plastic in an appliance. If you see these signs, contact a licensed electrician immediately. Having these problems addressed by someone inexperienced or improperly trained can lead to electrical fires and property damage.

Place & Use Your Appliances Appropriately

It’s important that if you own a large volume of electrical appliances, you space them out and avoid clutter. Additionally, if you are going on vacation or leaving your residence for an extended period of time, don’t be afraid to turn off unnecessary heavy-duty appliances like ovens, HVAC units, and lighting systems; there are many other potential items that could be switched off to save on the electrical bill and also reduce electrical risk factors within your residence. Check with a licensed electrician for a list of safety guidelines to follow when powering down any electrical equipment.

Teach Your Kids About Electrical Safety

Let your kids know about the dangers and uses of electricity. If you have toddlers or very young children, buy safety plugs for your electrical outlets. You can also upgrade your current standard 125v 15&20amp electrical outlets to a TR (Tamper Resistant) type, which is required by the current 2008 NEC (National Electric Code) section 406.11 and section 210.52 for all new installations.

Young children are fascinated by electricity, and it’s good to educate them while they’re young so they don’t do reckless things. Tell them about the importance of turning off switches and powered areas before unplugging appliances to reduce the chances of an arc. Teach them about electrical conduction and how electricity and water are a dangerous mix. There are many ways to do this, and each will be unique based on parenting and the nature of the child. Choose your own approach and show them to rightfully fear and respect electricity.

Use Extension Cords Wisely

Extension cords should not be used as a substitute for wiring within your residence. They can short out and overheat, especially if the wattage and voltage are not compatible with the appliance they are hooked up to. Any electrician will strongly advise you to never bend prongs to make a cord fit an appliance, and ensure the wattage is compatible with the load it’s powering — we can’t emphasize this enough!

Also, only purchase extension cords equipped with ground-fault interruption devices so they will shut off automatically in a pinch. Speaking of pinches, don’t put extension cords between doors or under heavy furniture in order to protect the outer casing and insulation. Always use quality UL (Underwriters Laboratories) rated cords.