Electrical safety tips for peace of mind

BY MIKE MUHLMAN, OWNER, MR. ELECTRIC OF McLENNAN COUNTY

Did you know there could be unknown electrical safety issues lurking in your home? Its age, installation issues, wear and tear, and overlooking safety devices could put your home and family at risk. Here are common electrical safety issues found in homes:

Insufficient or poorly maintained smoke detectors. Every year more than 3,400 Americans die and 17,000+ are injured in fires. Ensure your home is protected by installing smoke detectors on each level of your home near sleeping areas. Replace batteries annually at a minimum, and test monthly for reliability. Also check for expired smoke detectors. Mr. Electric recommends replacing smoke detectors every 8 to 10 years. PRO TIP: If your smoke detectors are at an age where they do not have a visible date, then you should replace them immediately.

No carbon monoxide monitors. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the #1 cause of poisoning deaths in the country. Why? CO is completely colorless and odorless, and naturally produced as a byproduct of all combustion appliances and heat sources. Installing CO detectors in your home is an important measure to protect your family. Install at least one detector near the sleeping areas of your home, adding more to each level of your home, and one in each bedroom for extra protection. CO monitors are recommended to be replaced every 5-6 years.

Electrical panel issues. Older electrical panels are insufficient for the array of gadgets and appliances in use in the average home today, and can easily be overloaded. Improper wiring from “DIYers”, oversized or undersized breakers, and defective panels (some installed as recently as the 1980s) could result in fire or shock. Upgrade your panel to a newer, well-designed option to prevent safety issues.

No surge protection. Power surges can enter your home unexpectedly during a stormy night, a random power company disruption, or operation of a heavy-duty electrical appliance. Surges destroy electronic devices, and may cause fires. It’s unfortunate when your laptop dies, but even more so when your photos, documents, music and more are lost along with it. To reduce damage from power surges, have a whole house surge protector installed at the electrical panel by a licensed electrician. Additionally, install a multi-outlet power strip surge protection for delicate circuitry, telephone and cable lines to ensure both main and secondary zone surge protection absorbs any excess power that seeps through the primary protection.

Code and Wiring Updates. U.S. wiring codes are updated every three years to ensure electrical safety across the country. As a result, families living in older homes are at an increased risk of electrical safety issues due to:

Ungrounded outlets Two-prong ungrounded outlets are not safe, as electricity has no emergency exit. Threeprong outlets should be installed—and wiring issues addressed—for safety.

Outdated or exposed wiring Exposed wiring, knob and tube wiring, and aluminum wiring all pose dangerous safety issues.

GFCIs A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects you from shock and is designed to operate before electricity can affect your heartbeat. They are required for home safety in all areas of your home, especially near water sources.

Childproof outlets Spring-loaded cover plates on these outlets protect electrical contacts from the insertion of foreign objects by children, 70% of which occur in the presence of an adult. They are a simple, inexpensive solution required in new homes since 2008.

Extension cords Often overlooked, extension cords are unsafe for permanent use. Avoid overloading outlets, and never use extension cords as permanent outlets. Consider adding additional circuits and/or outlets in order to avoid the use of extension cords.

Proactively address your home safety issues. Contact Mr. Electric today at (254) 666-9100, or visit us online at MrElectric.com/Waco. Our professional and trusted electricians are dedicated to your safety. We live by our Neighborly Done Right Promise.