Practice Electrical Safety For National Electrical Safety Month

Katy, TX Electricians Weigh in on the Importance of Electrical Safety and Give Simple Tips

3 Electrical Safety Tips

Homes are filled with electrical appliances. From kitchen appliances to lighting fixtures and AC units, electricity runs through the walls to help give life to everyday amenities. So, it’s essential to understand the purpose of electrical safety and how best to establish it in a home.

Electrical safety provides people with a safe and secure environment while helping prevent injuries sustained from electrical contact. For professional electricians and contractors, electrical safety is crucial. Still, homeowners can benefit from learning the ins and outs of electrical safety to keep themselves safe and their loved ones.

Don’t Overload Outlets

However, overloading outlets like this can cause the circuit breaker to trip, which results in the entire circuit failing. While this isn’t too much cause for concern, if a circuit breaker is absent, the wiring inside the course will overheat and cause the insulation to melt. This can result in a fire.

Some common signs of an electrical outlet overload are:

• Frequent circuit breaker trips
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Wall plates that are discolored or outlets that are warm to the touch
• Switches and outlets give off a burning smell
• Appliances not working properly
• Outlets and switches release mild shocks when touched

If a person notices any of the above symptoms in their household, it is advisable to unplug devices from the outlet in question and plug them in somewhere else.

To prevent an overloaded outlet, homeowners should consider unplugging appliances and items that are not currently in use, avoiding plugging too many devices into a single outlet, and upgrading and adding additional outlets to the home.

Alternatively, homeowners can make use of surge protectors. These devices help pass electrical currents from the outlet to the plugged-in devices. Should the voltage become too much, the protector will work to redirect the additional electricity into the outlet’s grounding wire.

Pay Attention to Proper Wattage 

Wattage is something that needs to be considered too. Most lighting fixtures and lamps will contain a warning label instructing people on what wattage to use. If a higher wattage is used than what is stated as the maximum, the light fixture or lamp could potentially overheat, and a fire could break out.

So, it’s essential that homeowners take note of the maximum wattage of their lamps and light fixtures and only purchase and use bulbs that adhere to those guidelines.

Lights and light fixtures aren’t the only things that rely on wattages. Appliances do too, and it’s essential to ensure that the outlet can handle the appropriate amount of watts that homeowners have plugged into it.

Leave Electrical Work to the Professionals

Some homeowners may think that they are fully capable of solving any electrical problems that pop up in their homes. However, this can be risky as a single mistake can create an unsafe environment of electrical shocks, electrocution, and even electrical fires.

If a mistake happens, it can cost homeowners a lot more to have a professional electrician come out and fix the error than the original problem.

Suppose a person notices signs of an electrical problem such as flickering lights, electrical sparks coming from an outlet or appliance, a circuit breaker that keeps tripping, or odd burning smells coming from the walls or outlets. In that case, it’s wise to contact a professional electrician instead of attempting a DIY fix.

About Electric City

Local and family-owned, Electric City is a company that has served its neighbors in Katy, TX, and the surrounding areas since 2008. They provide straightforward pricing, same-day service, and 24-hour live answer. Call them today for electrical services in Katy, TX, by trustworthy, licensed, and background checked technicians.