Did you know that electrical malfunctions and failures are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States? According to one NFPA report, electrical hazards were responsible for 13% of home fires in 2016.
This year, here’s what you need to protect your home from to prevent electrical mishaps.
Poor or Defective Wiring
Trust us; you don’t want to settle on low-quality electrical wiring just because it’s cheaper. Bad wiring can significantly increase the likeliness of electrical hazards at your home. It can be a source of power surges, fires, and shocks, costing you more than just money. Thus, when it comes to investing in electrical wiring, make sure you opt for high-quality and reliable wiring.
Over time (often due to circumstances), even the best wiring can get damaged. This requires an immediate replacement of electrical wiring. Continuing to use worn out, damaged, or corroded electrical wires can increase the likeliness of electrical hazards at your home.
If you notice any frayed or otherwise damaged wiring in your appliances and electronic devices, don’t just try to fix them with duct tape. Always reach out to a professional electrician to inspect and attend to damaged wiring. It’s best to get your wiring inspected regularly to avoid any mishaps.
Extension Cords
It’s incredibly tempting to want to plug in an extension cord in the room you’re working in so that you can connect yet another device. However, while doing so may save you the trouble of relocating to a different room or keeping your devices apart, it increases the chances of electrical hazards.
Here’s the thing: extension cords aren’t meant for permanent usage. You can continue using them temporarily, but if this means plugging in five different appliances and devices in the same outlet at the same time, you need to reconsider your decision. Continuing to do this will result in overheating of the cord and can lead to an electrical fire.
The best thing to do to avoid this is to have a new power outlet installed at the place where you need it. This will prevent you from plugging in multiple devices in the same cord at a given time.
Outlets Located Near a Water Source
If your power outlets in the kitchen or the bathrooms are installed right next to the sink, you might want to redesign the electrical wiring in these rooms. Water conducts electricity. This means having your switchboard near the water source can increase the chances of electric fires.
Power outlets in areas near water should always be installed at a distance away from the water source. Also make sure you’re never touching the power outlet or the device plugged into it with a wet hand.
At Lakeview Electric LLC., we offer residential, commercial, and industrial electrician services in Nevada. Book a free inspection with our electrical services and hire an electrician to protect your home from electrical hazards.