Many people do not know that electrical hazards cause more than 1,000 injuries and deaths per year. Understanding what defines an electrical risk is the surest way to avoid one. For example, an injury from faulty electrical wiring, a DIY electrical repair, or improper grounding could be life-threatening and completely avoidable. A home inspection by a local electrician will help you locate these potential risks and remedy them before they have a chance to damage your home and family.
Here are common electrical hazards and some ways you can prevent them:
- Dated wiring: When your home is old, the wiring is also aging. You might not think about the age of the wiring, but building codes and materials have changed since a construction company built the house. Unless you have bought or sold your home within the past year, there is a good chance that the wiring needs to be updated.
- Wrong wiring: Poor or wrong wiring for the item plugged into the outlet is a fire waiting to happen. The wire will overheat and catch on fire, spreading quickly to other parts of the house.
- Extension cords: Everyone uses extension cords to plug more than one item into an electrical outlet. Too many extension cords or too many plugs in a power strip will overload the circuit. Once a circuit is overloaded, a fire can result. .
- Cords near water: Electricity and water never mix. Never use an electric tool or appliance near water, and make sure electrical outlets are away from water sources like sinks or bathtubs.
Other electrical hazards might surprise you:
- Overhead power lines: A damaged power line can catch fire, especially when it is frayed. Sometimes the electricity will flow through the air and cause an arc flash. The arc flash concentrates energy that causes severe burns and possibly even death.
- Exposed wiring: If your home has electrical outlets with no covers, those are hazards. Any electrical feature such as the breaker box, the fuse box, or an outlet should have a tight covering to prevent accidents.
- Frayed insulation: Frayed, worn, or otherwise damaged insulation can cause a fire when it surrounds an exposed wire. Contact with the wire can cause a shock or a fire.
- Children: Unsupervised children are prone to sticking things into outlets, and sticking anything into an outlet is dangerous. Keep children away from outlets, electrical features with no covers, and appliances like hairdryers when near water.
Potential electrical hazards are preventable with proper care and prevention. When you see an electrical hazard, the best course of action is to contact a licensed, trained electrical repair service. The service will inspect your home for wiring issues and make reliable repairs to keep you and your family safe. Contact us today to get a free home electrical inspection.
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