While we might see funny cartoons of beloved characters sticking their fingers in an electrical socket, only to have their hair stand on end, making them look silly, the truth is that electrical safety is no joke. Every year, there are nearly 1,000 fatalities related to electrical injuries. And, there are about 30,000 non-fatal shock incidents each year. Those are some sizeable numbers.

That’s why we want to share some important electrical safety tips for homeowners.

Keep Your Home (and Family) Safe with These 10 Electrical Safety Tips

At X, we want you and your family to be safe. And, we want your home to be a safe place to live, too. The U.S. Fire Administration website indicates that in 2022 alone, there were 26,100 fires, 185 deaths, 850 injuries, and an estimated $1.49 million in losses related to residential building electrical malfunction fires. Again, no laughing matter.

Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming one of these scary statistics.

1. Prevent Overloaded Outlets

Overloading outlets is a common cause of electrical fires. Imagine an outlet like a busy intersection; too many cars (or in this case, appliances) can cause a jam. The same goes for your electrical outlets. Using extension cords or power strips can be helpful, but be cautious not to overload them. Think of it like cooking with too many crockpots on one counter; eventually, the counter can’t handle the weight. Spread out your appliances and avoid using multiple high-wattage devices on the same outlet.

 

2. Replace or Repair Damaged Electrical Cords

Damaged electrical cords are a significant hazard. If you notice any fraying, cracking, or other signs of wear and tear, it’s time to replace or repair the cord. Exposed wires can lead to electrical shocks or fires. Inspect your cords regularly and handle them with care to keep them in good condition.

 

3. Unplug Unused Appliances

Unplugging unused appliances is a simple yet effective way to prevent potential hazards and save a bit on your energy bill. Appliances left plugged in can still draw power and pose a risk if they malfunction. By unplugging them when not in use, you reduce the risk of electrical fires and save on electricity.

 

4. Follow Manufacturer Specifications

Always follow the manufacturer’s specifications for all electrical items and appliances. This includes proper usage, maintenance, and recommended load capacities. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to overheating, electrical shorts, and other dangerous situations. Refer to the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions.

 

5. Keep Water and Electricity Separate

Water and electricity don’t mix. Keep all electrical appliances—curling irons, hair dryers, coffee makers, etc.—and outlets away from common water sources like sinks, bathtubs, and pools. In areas where water and electricity are close, use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to reduce the risk of shock. These devices are designed to shut off the power if they detect an imbalance in the electrical current.

 

6. Clean Exhaust Fans Regularly

Exhaust fans help remove moisture and odors from your home, but they can accumulate dust and debris over time, causing them to overheat. Regularly clean your exhaust fans to help them operate efficiently and safely. An overheated fan can be a fire hazard, especially if it’s clogged with lint or dust.

 

7. Use Proper Wattage for Light Fixtures

Using the correct wattage for your light fixtures is super important. Exceeding the recommended wattage can cause overheating and potentially start a fire. Always check the fixture’s rating and use bulbs that match or are below the maximum wattage. When in doubt, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

 

8. Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are your first line of defense in the event of a fire. We suggest you install smoke alarms on each level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. So, if you live in a two-story home, you should have one in the basement, one on the main level, and one upstairs, plus in each bedroom and main room of the home (i.e., living room, family room, kitchen). 

Does this seem like overkill to you? Trust us, it’s not. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year—many homeowners do this around the first of the year to avoid forgetting. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.

 

9. Educate Your Family on Electrical Safety

Help all family members, including children, to understand basic electrical safety. Explain to your kids the risks of touching electrical outlets, cords, or appliances with wet hands. And, make sure they know to tell you of any damaged cords or appliances. Awareness and education can prevent accidents and save lives.

 

10. Schedule Regular Electrical Inspections

Having a licensed electrician inspect your home’s electrical system regularly can help identify potential hazards before they become serious issues. They can check for outdated wiring, overloaded circuits, and other safety concerns. Regular inspections keep your home’s electrical system up to code and functioning safely.

Need an Electrical Inspection?

If you are concerned about electrical safety in your home, a licensed inspector from X can come out and take a look. Contact us today.

Deciding the perfect electrician for your building construction, office renovation, or apartment can be stressful as there are dozens right here in Southern Massachusetts alone!

However, there are key features and characteristics you must see before you choose an electrician to work for you. If these characteristics are not evident, you might be choosing the wrong person for your project. To be on the safer side, stay glued to this guide as we give you tips on selecting the right person. Let’s dive right in.

Check for Licenses 

Like any professional job, a license or evidence of expertise is the basic and foundational item to look out for when hiring an electrician.

This license indicates the electrician has undergone training from previous years and understands both precautionary and advanced standard safety procedures for anything electrically related.

In addition, it means any job done by this personnel is expected to have followed the appropriate rules and regulations by the Engineers association, and they have the minimum lifespan of authenticity by a directory board for it to maintain its state.

This license can be issued by the government, organization or by the state. Without this, it is best not to work with such an individual.

Certifications and Experience

A certification, on the other hand, also indicates their level of specialization in a given task. Some professional electricians are more advanced and specialized in a particular field, like household wiring, HVAC systems, and heating appliances.

And so, giving your project the right certificate and expertise in that field for a more specialized task is also best.

Some electricians are also more versed with decades of practice. Over these years, they have worked on numerous technical projects that can only be tackled by an updated person in that field.

Recommendations

To hire an electrician, you can do your research by seeking out the assistance of people who have hired one before so they can give a review or recommendation.

By seeking help from friends, neighbors, or even work colleagues, they get to vouch for their already done project, and any new task they would be working on for you would be to impress you at least before consecutive jobs.

Sometimes, some electrical agencies or teams would be recommended to get your job done faster instead of sole personnel.

Effective Communication

Although a soft skill, effective communication, and responsiveness towards any professional task is the bedrock of building meaningful relationships.

You want to avoid giving a task to someone who would end up ghosting you or giving false deadlines for the job completion.

And how can you vet for these traits for someone you don’t know anything from? You can start checking these characteristics right from the first meet-up, the job quota he or she would be giving, and further advice they would recommend to make your job better. This way, you can build on that and trust them better with bigger tasks.

Look Out for Guarantees and Warranties

For such a profession, giving out or postulating a warranty is an act of good workmanship. Most agencies do this to prevent future disagreements or disputes with past clients.

So, for your safety, upon every repair, change, or routine check for any of your work or home appliances, you can always confirm for a warranty so they would be held accountable for it.

Contact Brunelli for All Southern MA Electrical Work

Are you looking for an electrician in southern Massachusetts who checks all the boxes? Philip M. Brunelli is the man for the job! With decades of fully licensed and insured experience, Philip can handle any job thrown his way. Contact the team today!