Common Electrical Safety Hazards and How to Avoid Them

If you’re a homeowner, then you know there comes some responsibility with the title. From paying your utility bills to making sure that your living space is clean, there are many different ways to keep busy on a daily basis, but what about steering clear of electrical mishaps? Believe it or not, they happen more often than you think (and when you least expect it). To avoid a potential problem from arising, here are some things to consider:

Lingering Lamps

Whether you’ve opted out of recess lighting or just need some extra light around the house, a lamp will make the perfect choice. Over the years, lamps have transformed from the candlestick to a light bulb. Although a light bulb is a much safer alternative than an open flame, there are some risks you still have to be wary of.

If you have a lamp with a shade that’s a tad too small, then you’ll run the risk of starting a fire in your home. Why would this occur? If a bulb has been on for quite some time, it will not only be hot to the touch, but it has the potential to cause a fire if anything flammable comes in contact with it (i.e., the fabric on the shade).

To solve this problem, it’s important to make sure that your lamps are using the proper-sized shade, are away from anything flammable (i.e., long curtains), and that light bulbs are tightly fastened to the base. Another great way to eliminate a potential problem? Simply upgrade your bulb to an LED bulb. Not only will this be a safer alternative, but it’s also the most energy-efficient option and will have a longer lifespan!

Outdated Outlets

Do you know when your electrical outlets were installed? If not, then you might want to find out much sooner than later — they might be in need of some TLC. Whether you were the original owner of your home or purchased it from someone else a few years ago, chances are that the electrical work may need to be inspected and possibly replaced. In fact, there’s always a startling chance that faulty wiring may be lurking behind your walls — something that has the potential to start an electrical fire.

Some of the common signs that your outlets/electrical sources may need to be replaced include:

  • Plugging an electronic in and it doesn’t turn on.

  • The outlet is located in a strange place, such as the back of a closet.

  • When you touch the surface of the outlet, it feels warm.

  • If plugging in an electronic creates some sparking.

If you’re looking to alleviate a potential problem, then it’s best to schedule a whole-house safety inspection with our team. Not only will we thoroughly check every square inch of your home for any potential issues, but we’ll alert you when there’s any outdated wiring or dangerous connections. Once that’s complete, we can then upgrade these hazards to not only bring your electrical up to code, but to keep you and your family safe from harm’s way.

Excessive Extension Cords

One of the most common tools used in any home is an extension cord. You know the struggle well: sometimes, a new toaster’s cord isn’t long enough to reach the outlet, and therefore you’ll need assistance. Although an extension cord will help bring the electrical current to you, it can also be very dangerous if used incorrectly or excessively.

When using these power-packed cords, make sure that you limit yourself to one per outlet. The reason being is this: there’s a potential that you could override the outlet and cause a problem. Another tip to keep in mind is that you’ll want to steer clear of packing out an electric cord power strip — since the excessive power could also cause your electric to go askew. If you’re not sure how many electric cords you should use, just keep in mind that less is certainly more.

Do you think that your home is due for a safety inspection, in addition to outlet upgrades? For electrical services that are out of this world, call your Houston electrical specialists at Universal Home Experts today at (713) 364-0226, or click here for more information.