ELECTRICAL TIPS
& SAFTEY

An overloaded electrical circuit can cause power disruptions, damage equipment like TVs & computers, and increase the risk of fire. Some things to look out for to indicate you have an overloaded circuit are but not limited to. Breakers tripping, warm electrical devices like outlets and switches, burning or fishy smell, or flickering lights.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter's (GFCI) are a vital part of electrical safety. They are especially important in areas where electrical equipment is near water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoors. GFCI's could easily be identified as the outlets with the buttons on the face. They shut off power if they detect an imbalance. This prevents people from being shocked by faulty appliances or live wires. If your GFCI has a red light lit that means a problem is detected. You can test these outlets by pushing the reset button on the front.

46% of house fires are caused by space heaters! So it is important to make sure you are using yours safely. Never use a space heater with an extension cord. Never plug a space heater into an already overloaded circuit. Always make sure to keep heaters away from flammable items. Always make sure to keep cords out of high traffic areas. And always be sure to have a smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the room 

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors are a crucial part of the safety of you, your property and anyone inside. Electrical code states that one smoke detector is required in every bedroom of a residential property. As well as one smoke/carbon monoxide combination detector in a common area on each floor. It is important to check your batteries to ensure these detectors will still work in the event of a power outage 

Old wiring systems, such as knob-and-tube, aluminum, & cotton cloth are not designed to handle modern electrical loads, leading to overheating and potential fires. Frayed or damaged insulation can also spark and ignite nearby materials. It is important to be diligent about issues like these. If you think you hear sizzling in the wall or electrical box make sure to call a licensed electrician immediately. Another way to identify bad wiring is by the smell of burning materials or even a warm/hot electrical device.

Flickering Lights can be a telltale sign of many different electrical issues. Problems with the electrical connection,  loose bulbs, faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, voltage fluctuations, or incompatible dimmer switches with the light bulb type.  Flickering lights could not only cause a issue with your electrical systems but also your health. None the lesser it is important to find the cause and address this issue before it turns to something worse. Start by checking your bulbs connections are tight, or replacing bulbs before taking further actions.