As we ring in 2025, it’s a good idea to make electrical safety your top priority. Aging homes with aging electric, may seem like they are working, but there could be hidden dangers.
We often take our home’s electrical system for granted. If the lights are working, the television is on and the home is warm, we assume everything is in working order.
Having your home inspected this January can help prevent overuse and malfunction, which can both cause house fires. A licensed electrician can do a fairly quick and cost-effective home inspection that can help prevent danger but can also help to save you money by keeping everything in working order.
If a full home inspection is not possible at this time, then consider some helpful tips that can help prevent danger as well as save some money.
Upgrading lightbulbs to LED can help save on electric bills but they are also less likely to cause a fire. Just like you check your smoke detectors, GFI outlets need to be checked and reset often. Consider setting an alarm on your cell phone to reset them once a month.
As you walk through the house, check to see if any wires are old and frayed and replace them with new safer wires. Any wires that are under carpets, are stapled or near hot surfaces can be dangerous. The same applies to extension cords and surge protectors. These can get old and frayed as well. Replacing them often can be just as important as the wires plugged into them.
New gadgets received during the holidays need electric to charge. Be sure to check all outlets to make sure they are not being overloaded. If your home is older, it may not have enough outlets. Although adding new outlets will cost some money, it may help in the future as more of our possessions need electric to function.
While you are doing your home check be sure to take note of any sparking or flickering. If you notice anything isn’t working properly, call a licensed electrician immediately.
Small Businesses Should Also Make Electric Safety a Priority
All of these ideas also apply to business owners. Small business owners especially have limited time and sometimes limited resources. Employees often run heaters under their desks and extension cords to printers. Take a walk through your business and check to make sure everything is working properly; wires are not running across aisles and under carpets.
Not only can these small changes save you future headaches, but they can also save your business. An office fire can take a toll that a small business may have difficulty recovering from.
If you are not sure or need assistance, call a qualified electrician today!