5 Electrical Safety Tips To Protect Your Home

Electrical accidents can be devastating when they leave your home shattered, not to mention property destruction. Surprisingly, some of the accidents are triggered by slight issues that are avoidable.  Homeowners need to invest in the right strategies to keep their homes safe to avoid such occurrences. Fortunately, electrical safety is easy to achieve. With the right attitude and tips, it is possible to keep the house safe for everyone. But how do you get this done? Check out these suggestions below and learn how to protect your home from any avoidable electrical damages.

1.  Always Check the Cords and Wires

It does not matter if your cord is a 20 amp extension cord or one with lower power, it is necessary to keep an eye on all the cords and wires in the house. Note that the cable is the intermediate power connector between the device and wall power source.

Many people use extension cords to get power to areas where the wall outlet’s reach is limited. In case an electric device has a shorter cord then an extension cord is useful. With time, the cords age or get damaged. When this happens, remember to unplug and store them away. Unfortunately, despite the assumption many people make, these cords do not stop functioning entirely. They are likely to transmit some power if let plugged into the wall.

The consequence of this could be that the small amount of power still passing through the cord can cause significant damage. Unfortunately, it is not easy to know when the power cords are aging and leaking the power unless you pay attention. Make a habit of going through each room and verify that the electric cords are in good condition. Remove those that show signs of aging or damage to minimize chances of fire outbreaks.

2.  Use the Power Extension Cords Safely

Homeowners need to understand that extension cords are not a permanent fix for their problems. At one point, it may be necessary to increase wall power outlets. Most fire outbreaks resulting from electrical malfunctions are traced back to the wrong usage of extension cords. Most of these extension cords exist to help provide a temporary fix when you need to use power outdoors or any other temporary situation. Converting them into permanent power sources is where the issue comes in. 

For people who must use extension cords in the house, do this for a few hours. In case you have fewer outlets, or the ones available are far from the appliances you need, consider moving the appliances closer to the outlets. If this is also not an option, then talk to the electrician you trust to install new outlets to suit your current needs.

3.  Normalize Unplugging Appliances from the Power Source

Most people leave their appliances on the wall switches and outlets out of habit. The fact that you have been doing this for years does not make it right. Consider unplugging the devices when not in use, regardless of whether you have switched the outlet off or not. It is a secondary safety measure that comes in handy when there are emergency power surges. Sometimes, there are no guarantees on your electrical appliances’ safety when the power comes with too much force.

To avoid accidents such as fire outbreaks or spoil your appliances, make sure to unplug when going to bed or leaving the house. Alternatively, you can invest in smart power plugs to help you keep the devices and appliances safe even when you are not at home.

4.  Avoid Power Strip Overload

Just because you purchased a power strip does not mean that you should indiscriminately overload it. Instead, make sure to consider the voltage limits for each power strip. This applies mostly to higher-load devices. Always check the rating of the strip before plugging numerous devices on it.

It may not serve its purpose if you overload, which means that the protection you were going for is reduced. In the end, the best solution will be to have more wall outlets as opposed to alternative solutions like power strips. However, if this is the only way out, make sure to be reasonable in your usage.

5.  Unplug Devices Carefully and Care for Outlets

Many people do not know that there is a wrong and right way of unplugging devices from a power source. To avoid damaging the cord, always unplug from the plastic housing instead of pulling the cord itself. Pulling the cord only damages the wires inside, making them loosen and spoil. It also exposes you to the risk of fires and electric shock, which you do not want to happen to you.

Additionally, you want to take care of the outlets in your house. Make sure the switchplates are screwed properly on the wall. Always ensure that they are tamper-resistant, especially if you have kids or pets that are likely to interfere with the holes. Remember that the outlet directly links to the electricity, and you do not want those you care for hurt because of tampering. Upgrade older outlets to modern ones with better safety standards.

Final Thoughts

Electric safety is everyone’s responsibility. Make sure to invest in the right material to support this. In case you doubt anything, consider calling an electrician to check it out. Don’t attempt to handle electric repairs if you are not a qualified and certified technician.

About The Author: Rebecca Grey is a passionate writer & guest blogger. Writing helps her to improve her knowledge, skills & understanding about the specific industry. She loves writing & sharing her knowledge mostly in the travelling industry. She believes travelling is the key to a peaceful life & wants to spread her belief across the world. Apart from writing, she loves traveling and reading.

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