Electricity is an important component of every home. Without it, we’d have nothing to power the appliances and electronics we use every day. However, while electricity can be a blessing, at times it can also cause problems in your home when the electrical wiring becomes faulty. Often, this results in electrical emergencies that can prove hazardous for you and your family. Thankfully, it is possible to prevent electrical emergencies from ever happening in your home.
In this article, the expert electricians at Bailey & Shipp list six ways homeowners can prevent electrical emergencies.
1. Install ground fault circuit interrupters – If you want to prevent electrical emergencies around your home, one way you can do so is by installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) around specific areas of your home, such as the kitchen, bathroom and outdoor areas. In this way, you can prevent water and electricity from ever meeting and causing problems.
2. Don’t use a damaged extension cord – If you have any extension cords that show any signs of damage, don’t use them, as doing so can increase the risk of electrical fires.
3. Avoid DIYs – On the other hand, if you need to fix or replace something on your electrical system, one way you can prevent electrical emergencies is by avoiding DIYs, especially if you’re inexperienced. Instead, be sure to enlist the services of electrical contractors to minimize the risk of further problems.
4. Maintain your appliances – As much as possible, be sure to keep your appliances well-maintained to prevent them from malfunctioning and causing an electrical emergency in your home. To accomplish this, all you have to do is make sure that they remain clean, safe and updated. Once you do so, this will keep your appliances operating safely and efficiently.
5. Don’t overload a fuse – In addition to the aforementioned methods, you should also avoid overloading fuses to prevent electrical emergencies. Don’t plug too many items into one wall or one outlet, as this can cause them to overdraw power and blow a fuse, preventing the entire room from receiving power.
6. Unplug appliances when you aren’t using them – Finally, you should also unplug your appliances when they aren’t in use. This is because not only does doing so increase your home’s safety, it helps reduce your monthly energy bills as well.
Make your search for commercial electrical contractors easier by turning to Bailey & Shipp, the leading professionals to approach when it comes to troubleshooting and generator installation services. Give us a call at (410) 457-3507 or fill out our contact form to request a service. We serve homeowners in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and other nearby areas in VA.