How to Prevent Electrical Hazards In Your Home

Have you ever known anyone who lost their home and everything they had because of an electrical problem they didn't notice. I did, a close friend of mine. You may want to check out a few things around your house to make sure there are no electrical hazards. Extension cords, receptacles and light bulbs can cause fires in your home. Property damage, injuries and even lose of lives can happen if you have faulty electrical items in your home. The following steps can help prevent electrical fire hazards around your home which you can fix before they become a hazard.

Instructions

1. 

   Do not run extension cords across doorways or under carpets. Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician. Use extension cords only for temporary situations

2. Replace any receptacles that are broken, if they do not hold a plug securely, or hot to the touch, sparks, or makes a noise when you inset or remove a plug. Receptacles are not very expensive. Also look for frayed wires and replace them. Again you may want to get a qualified electrician. Better safe then sorry.

3. 

   Replace any or all faceplates that may be cracked or damaged so you don't accidentally touch a plug to a live portion of the receptacle when plugging your appliance in. Only use multi-plug adapters for a short period of time. Make sure all three-slot receptacles have a ground wire available.

4. 

   Test all your GFCI receptacles. Usually these receptacles are used in the kitchen by the sink and in the bathroom. Plug a hair dryer or another appliance into the GFCI receptacle, turn the appliance on then press the test button. The receptacle should shut itself off. If not, press the test button again. If the appliance still does not shut off then replace the GFCI receptacle with a new one.

5. 

   Light bulbs can get very hot. Make sure nothing that can burn is close to the bulb. The halogen type light bulbs get very hot and could ignite any combustible materials that are too close. Most light fixtures are labeled to show the wattage of the bulb that can be safely used in that fixture or appliance. Do not use a higher watt then it calls for. Check all the bulbs in every room, attic and garage.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your eyes open for dimming lights every time you turn on an appliance. It could mean the circuit may be overloaded or have a loose connection.

• If your circuit breaker or fuse keeps tripping it may be an important sign that you have a problem.

• If an electrical fire starts at a wall outlet, pull the plug or turn off the main switch and call 9-1-1

• If the fire is small, use your home CO2 fire extinguisher.

• Never put water on an electrical fire.

• Turn off the main power source and call the fire department if it is a large fire.