According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), electrical failures were the second top cause of residential fires in the United States from 2012 to 2016. Not only that, fires caused by failures of electrical systems made up 18 percent of civilian deaths. The really sad thing about these statistics is that residential fires caused by faulty electrical systems and appliances are preventable.
You can hire a contractor that provides electrical service in Salt Lake City or wherever you are located to check on the electrical wiring and electrical system of your home. On top of getting help from professionals, there are also other things that you can do on your own to help prevent fires caused by the electrical system in your home.
Electrical Safety Ideas That You Can Use
There are a lot of electrical safety tips which you can follow in your home. Here are a few which can be useful:
-
Replace Old Power Cords
If you see a power cord with it insulation worn out and the wiring inside it exposed already, replace it as soon as possible. Do not try to use it again. That is a hazard that you should not ignore. Not only can it cause a fire but it can also potentially cause electrocution.
-
Never Overload Electrical Outlets
The amount of electrical current each of your outlets supports is finite. If that limit is exceeded, explosions and electrical fires can happen. Keep this from happening by limiting the use of multiway adapters.
-
Avoid Using Extension Cords
This is tied to the last point about not overloading an electrical outlet. To plug more devices into an outlet, most people use extension cords, which can potentially cause an overload. Also, extension cords can trip people and cause injuries. If you find yourself using extension cords quite often, you might want to consider having a contractor that provides electrical service in Salt Lake City to install additional outlets in your home.
-
Have Your Home Inspected
How do you know that your home is meeting electrical standards? The standards are set to avoid untoward incidents and accidents. Have your home inspected by a qualified electrician to make sure that everything is okay.
-
Be on the Lookout for Signs of Problems
You have to be on the lookout for signs of electrical problems in your home. These signs include flickering lights, buzzing sounds from electrical systems, and circuit breakers that keep on tripping. If you notice any of those signs, get in touch with an electrician right away.
These are just a few of the electrical tips which you need to keep in mind to keep your home safe. Get the help of professional electricians whenever you need to make an upgrade to the electrical system in your home. Don’t try to make a DIY project out of something that involves the electrical system of your home.
Fires caused by malfunctioning electrical systems happen a lot. These incidents are preventable. Keep yourself informed about how you can prevent these types of fires from happening.