The Secret to Electrical Safety

Prevention Is Key

Electrical Safety Month is designed to keep households safe regardless of a home's size. Apartments, mobile homes, and multi-story houses are vulnerable to electrical fires without proper preventative strategies. Homeowners are encouraged to pay attention to not only the inside circuitry but their outlets as well. 

A Clean Outlet

Having a "clean outlet" does not include scrubbing. A clean outlet simply means no more than two cords are plugged in at one time. Since there are different kinds of outlets, the amount of voltage available may vary. 

A 110-volt outlet is the most common outlet used in houses and apartments today. Depending on the size of the breaker, each outlet may have 15 or 20 amps. A 15-amp outlet can power most electrical appliances, including microwaves and TV sets. In older homes, the outlets are less likely to power as many devices.

Homes built before 1960 often have two-pronged outlets. If homeowners cannot upgrade to a three-pronged outlet, they should be mindful of how many devices are connected simultaneously. Power strips should be avoided, and no more than two low-voltage appliances should be plugged into the same outlet. An overloaded circuit can cause power outages and house fires.

The home's overall circuitry is strained when too much power is pulled from the outlet. If the circuits are used too often, the wires are known to overheat and melt. Electrical fires most commonly start with overloaded outlets with too many high-powered devices. To be safe, only use one or two appliances per outlet.

How To Childproof Outlets

Specialized covers can be purchased online to prevent small children from sticking particles into electrical outlets. There are two main options: plastic covering and tamper-resistant outlets.

Plastic outlets are designed to snap over the outlet when not used. They are usually used in rooms where fewer electrical appliances are needed. Tamper-resistant plates look identical to regular outlets, but they include shutters on both slots in the outlet. Instead of a full cover that needs to be removed for power, an internal spring is used to open and close each shutter.

Most plastic outlet covers are easy to install. They do not require an electrician or specialized hardware. Tamper-resistant plates are a little more difficult. If homeowners are not familiar with the local building codes, this can create safety issues in the future. A professional electrician can childproof electrical outlets in under an hour. 

When To Call For Help

Electrical safety should be every homeowner's top priority, but many people need to learn the difference between a simple electrical problem and an electrical hazard. Although the warning signs may seem harmless, many of these symptoms can cause electrical fires. 

If electrical appliances are warm to the touch, the electrical system works too hard to power each device. Sometimes, this can be fixed by unplugging extra cords. It is recommended that you immediately disconnect all devices from the outlet before calling an electrician to assess the damage.

Ceiling lights and table lamps should provide consistent lighting. If homeowners notice flickering or dimming, this is not caused by the bulb. Buzzing sounds that accompany strange lighting are usually a sign that the electrical system is under considerable strain and will need to be quickly repaired to avoid further damage to the circuitry. 

Albritton Service Co

Albritton Service Co has served residents of Ruston, LA, for over 25 years. Their technicians always arrive on time, offer honest advice and transparent pricing, and stand behind all their work with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. To learn more about their 24/7 electrical services, call Albritton Service Co today. 

Contact Information:

Albritton Service Co

1009 E Georgia Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
United States

Teresa Aulds
(318) 251-0885
https://www.albrittonservice.com/