As you begin to refresh your home for spring cleaning, it's important to incorporate a preventative maintenance routine that helps ensure electrical safety. At Estes Services, we want to help you minimize the potential for any electrical safety hazards in your home, and so we are sharing 6 electrical safety tips to include in your spring cleaning.
Have
you been frequently dealing with tripped breakers or blown fuses this past
winter? There are a few important factors to be aware of as to why this may be
happening.
Depending on how your electrical is wired at your home, it may be caused by something as simple as an overloaded circuit, where too much current is being drawn from multiple devices, such as your refrigerator and air conditioning unit starting at the same time. It may also be caused by a faulty appliance or something as serious as a short circuit.
If your circuit breaker is experiencing any of the following, you should schedule an appointment now for electrical service with Estes Services:
●
Being hot to touch and smelling a
burning smell that comes from the breaker panel.
●
Having visible damage such as burned
metal or frayed wires.
●
Hearing buzzing, hissing, or popping
noises from the breakers.
Knowing whether your home is equipped
with the proper electrical protective devices is the best way to prevent house
fires and any potential mishaps, which brings us to electrical safety tip #2 on
our list: Ensure you are protected against electrical hazards with a GFCI.
2. Ensure GFCI protection in proper locations.
If you have GFCIs in your home, it's important to know if they are working properly during your spring cleaning. Our experienced team can perform a home electrical inspection and ensure there is a presence of GFCI protection in proper locations.
3. Be weary of flickering lights.
Flickering lights can be a sign that
there is an ongoing issue with your electrical system, such as the wires
becoming frayed as a result of previous poor electrical installation.
If multiple lights flicker or dim on a regular basis, you could have serious home wiring problems. This
problem can be caused by frayed wiring or overloaded electrical outlets—Both of
which are possible fire hazards.
4. Was your home built more than 40 years ago?
As you progress in your Spring cleaning, be thinking about the age of your home. If your home was built more than 40 or more years ago, you need an electrical inspection performed by an Estes Services professional. Being proactive about this can help reduce potential electrical problems and fire risks.
Of course, having an older home is just one example; There are other situations, such as a new home purchase, selling a home, or a major home renovation, where an electrical inspection should be performed.
For instance, if you're considering remodeling or buying a new home, keep in mind that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommend that all electrical work is performed by a qualified electrician.
5. Are there too many extension cords used throughout your home?
When it comes to extension cords, it's
important to know how to use them properly. Without regular upkeep and
monitoring, extension cords can pose a major safety hazard in your home. This
is especially a concern now that many employees are working from home.
Using extension cords for long-term solutions can cause an overheating and
electrical fire danger.
6. Warm faceplates and outlets are a warning sign
Are the surrounding areas of your faceplates and outlets warm when touched? This could mean that there is too much demand on your electrical circuit, or you may have outdated wiring.
This is a warning sign that needs to be resolved immediately. When a faceplate or outlet is warm, this can create the possibility of the risk of a fire. Increase the electrical safety inside your home this spring by contacting the Estes Services team.
This spring, we want to help you ensure the electrical safety of your home. When you need electrical repairs or upgrades, Estes Services is here to help. We offer a range of electrical services, including home electrical inspections, surge protection, wiring installation, and more.
So, if you have an electrical concern related to your spring cleaning at your home, we encourage you to schedule service with Estes Services.
Because, when it comes to electrical safety, you don't want to risk it…It's That Easy; It's Estes!
