Take a few minutes to make sure your home is safe for your family by checking for a few key problem areas. If you have any questions or need help with any of these areas just give us a call.
Flickering Lights, Broken Outlets & Missing Switchplates:
Take a moment to have a look at your light switches and outlets and make sure they are in good condition. A missing switchplate or cracked outlet can allow for a shock or possible electrical fire when used. Lights that flicker can indicate faulty wiring or a loose connection. These may not seem like big problems but best to repair or replace them as soon as they are discovered to prevent any injuries or damage to your home.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors:
Technically, these aren’t directly related to electrical safety but it is still a great time to check these and some units are hardwired in your home.
Most of us know we should be checking our smoke detectors but when was the last time you actually checked them? More importantly, when was the last time they were replaced? Most smoke detectors have a lifespan of 5-10 years until they should be replaced. Over time and with repeated alarms (that one in your kitchen that annoyingly goes off every time you burn toast!) they lose they efficiency and sensors can become clogged and dirty and less likely to sound in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide event.
Almost all detectors have a date of manufacture located on the back, if they are more than 10 years old then it is time to replace them. Battery only units are simple to replace and even some hardwired units can easily be done if you are comfortable doing this yourself. Replacing just the batteries is simple & easy. It only takes a minute to check these and make sure.
Overloaded Power Strips and Extension Cords:
We all need to plug a multitude of things in and make sure we have enough power for all our devices. Make are your family is doing this safely, all too often it’s easy to want to plug everything into the most convenient outlet by using a power strip. Power strips are handy and not necessarily a bad thing but be aware of not overloading the outlet. Depending on the circuit a fully loaded power strip may be too much for the outlet and cause it to trip the breaker. Additionally power strips can create a tangle of cords and adaptors. Check your home and consider moving things around if you are plugging to many things into a single power strip.
Check any extension cords you use regularly for proper rating and signs of wear. Remember extension cords should not be used as a permanent solution. Consider having electricity properly run to a shed or garage if you a frequently needing an extension cord. Replace any old or frayed cords and make sure outdoor cords are correctly rated for outdoor use.
Home Safety Devices:
GFCI or more commonly known as simply GFI outlets are required by code in many kitchen, bath and outdoor fixtures. The outlets have an additional breaker to prevent the risk of shock (commonly associated with a splash of water or excessive moisture because of their location). Almost all of these fixtures have a test function. Simply plug in a lamp or radio, turn it on and press the “test” button…if the GFCI is working properly the light will automatically turn off. Simply press the reset button to restore the outlet and know that your GFCI is working correctly. If you have outdoor outlets or outlets that are close to a sink or other water source, consider replacing these outlets.
AFCI Protection can be used at a breaker or on an outlet level. Like GFCI protection it is meant to add an additional safety measure and stop electricity from arcing between wires and creating a possible fire hazard. Older wiring or inadvertently driving a nail into a wire when hanging a picture are common causes of an arc fault.
Tamper Resistant Receptacles are a measure to prevent shock for child safety. They have a shutter which blocks the outlet if a foreign object is inserted in only one side of the receptacle. When a power cord is properly plugged into both slots they function normally.
Outdoor Lights and Security:
Double check any outdoor or security lights to make sure they are functioning correctly. Motion detectors can become dirty and are easily fixed with a simple cleaning. Replacing bulbs and making sure outdoor lights are working adds a bit of peace of mind and prevents trips & falls while taking out the trash or returning home after walking the dog.
There is a lot of additional good information available on the ESFI website.
Let’s all stay safe!
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