Each year, electrical malfunctions account for thousands of home fires, injuries, death and property damage. The average American home was built in 1977, and many existing homes simply can’t handle the demands of today’s electrical appliances and devices. Keep safety in mind with these helpful tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International.
Learn the warning signs of an overloaded electrical system:
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses
- Dimming of lights when other devices are tuned on
- Buzzing sound from switches or outlets
- Discolored outlets
- Appliances that seem underpowered
How to avoid overloading circuits:
- Label your circuit breakers to understand the different circuits in your home.
- Have your home inspected by a qualified electrician if older than 40 years or if you’ve had a major appliance installed.
- Have a qualified electrician install new circuits for high energy use devices.
- Reduce your electrical load by using energy efficient appliances and lighting.
Working from home? Follow these electrical safety tips to keep you and your home safe from electrical hazards.
- Avoid overloading outlets.
- Unplug appliances when not in use to save energy and minimize the risk of shock or fire.
- Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage.
- Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis.
- Never plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip.
- Never run cords under rugs, carpets, doors or windows.
- Make sure cords do not become tripping hazards.
- Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least three feet away from heat sources.
- Make sure you use proper wattage for lamps and lighting.
- Make sure your home as smoke alarms. Test them monthly, change batteries annually and replace the unit every 10 years.
Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International