Home Electrical Hazards You Won't Want To Ignore
This is a Class C fire. An A-B-C fire extinguisher will put it out. You have one, right?
A circuit breaker that keeps tripping, a funny smell, and hot wall plates are all cause for concern when it comes to home electrical safety. With four decades worth of electrical expertise, we've compiled some commonly overlooked home electrical hazards that you won't want to leave unresolved.
A Burning or Plastic Smell
Unless it's your toast casualty, the smell of anything burning in your home should have you on high alert. A burning odor or plastic smell near a wall, wall switch, or outlet is not typical and should be checked out immediately. Stay calm; it's likely something repairable; don't wait to have a professional come out.
Old or Blackened Electrical outlets
If you have appliances with the plug on the right and outlets which will not handle them, callus right away. They aren’t safe and need to be replaced.
When it comes to old, outdated electrical outlets, you don't want to wait to replace them with new GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets. GFCI outlets prevent shock, and any two-prong (non-ground) outlets should be replaced because they're not safe.
Non-Working Fixtures
In some cases, non-working fixtures are simply the fixture itself, and in other cases, it's the wiring. Asking a professional electrician to test the wiring of non-working fixtures is your safest way to know for sure.
If you have appliances with the plug on the right and outlets which will not handle them, callus right away. They aren’t safe and need to be replaced.
Visible or Chewed Up Wires
Exposed wires are an immediate danger to residents. Gnawing rodents can cause exposed wires, so getting to the bottom of where the source is will keep you and your pets safe. Discourage pets from chewing cords by adding covers to any exposed wire or cords.
Limited Switches And Outlets
Homeowners with fewer switches and outlets than they need is a definite reason to start planning for additional electrical representation. Too many added power cords or makeshift options to run your favorite shows and appliances at the same time will cause power failures, either visible or unknown. All in all, having an upgraded meter and panel that provides enough power for your electrical needs makes for a smooth electrical experience as well as less headache down the road.
In any case, if you see signs of an electrical problem or something is in question, it's best to get it checked out. Electrical issues can be highly dangerous and are left best solved by a professional electrician that you trust. Most importantly, finding out there isn't a severe problem is much more pleasant than finding out that your suspicions were right.
As a trusted valley electrician, we welcome calls from homeowners around electrical safety and are happy to answer any questions that you have and resolve any wiring or electrical issues found.
Zimmerman Electric is here to serve your residential and commercial electrical needs throughout the Phoenix Valley metro area. Call us today if you need electrical work performed 602-497-3365.
