Your home’s electrical system wears a lot of hats, from keeping you safe and warm to making it convenient to get the news or listen to music. But it’s also inherently dangerous, and not knowing what safety tips to follow or how to navigate outages can be challenging. We go over some key info about electrical safety, backup power, and working with a qualified electrician below.Â
7 Electrical Safety Tips to Follow
1. Don’t Overload Your Circuits
Each electrical circuit in your home can only handle so much power and overloading them can trip your circuit breakers or even start an electrical fire. Avoid plugging too many cords into one outlet or too many high-powered appliances on one side of your house and limit them to no more than one per outlet.
2. Use Surge Protectors and Avoid Extension Cords
Surge protectors are a key component of electrical system safety, but many people overlook their usefulness. These devices are designed to absorb excess power from surges, preventing your devices and appliances from receiving too much electricity at once. This prevents damage and reduces the risk of fire when there’s a surge.
3. Unplug Your Appliances When You’re Not Using Them
Most people leave appliances like their televisions and toasters plugged in when not in use, simply because it’s more convenient the next time it’s used. However, these appliances still draw a small amount of power and can cause your electric bill to go up. It’s better to leave them unplugged and plug them in when you need it.
4. Upgrade to GCFI Outlets
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are outlets that protect people from electrocution and shocks by detecting and interrupting ground faults. A ground fault is when an electrical current travels in a way it’s not supposed to, like through a person or a body of water.
GFCI outlets monitor the flow of electricity at all times to make sure it completes the circuit as intended. If there’s an interruption, an outlet will cut the power to prevent the circuit from being completed another, more dangerous way.
5. Never Mix Electricity and Water
Even tiny amounts of water near electrical outlets, cords, or appliances can cause an electrical shock or fire. Common things to avoid are touching a power cord with wet hands, using electrical devices in wet conditions, or standing in water while using a powered appliance.
6. Use Childproof Outlet Covers
Plastic outlet covers are a great investment, even if you don’t have children or pets. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and eliminate any risks of having open electrical connections near furniture and drapes.
7. Use Space Heaters With Caution
While space heaters may be convenient and offer you fast heating without a hefty upfront investment, they’re also on the top of the list of fire risks in the United States. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 1,700 fires are caused by portable heaters every year. This results in about 160 injuries and 70 deaths annually.
Do I Need Backup Power?
Power outages are unfortunately inevitable from time to time, especially if you’re connected to the standard electrical grid. If you don’t have solar power or a backup generator, things can get dicey if the outage persists. Investing in a secondary source of electricity can help you keep your house powered, even during storms and line work.
When to Call a Licensed Electrician
The best time to call a Boston electrician is anytime you have a safety concern. The last thing you want to do is gamble with your property, your family, or yourself. By leaving power problems to the pros, you decrease the risk of fires, electrical shocks, and other hazards.
An electrician can also help you set up a secondary power source in case of outages, so you don’t have to go without critical appliances like your refrigerator or heating and cooling. Whether you have an electrical emergency or just want to optimize your system, an experienced professional has you covered.
Contact N.E.T.R., Inc. today to learn more or to schedule electrical service by calling (781) 933-6387.
