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May Is Electrical Safety Month, But Electrical Safety Is an Everyday Thing!

Posted on May 12, 2021 by

How To Practice Electrical Safety 365 Days a Year

May might be electrical safety month, but everyone should practice electrical safety all year round. Over 1,130 people are injured a year from electrical malfunctions, and over $1 billion in property damage occurs due to electrical issues. There’s no better time than now to get informed on electrical safety.

Install Electrical Safety Devices

Every home should have the following electrical safety devices installed:

  • Fuses: Blowing a fuse is more than just a phrase. Fuses protect a home from electrical fires by melting if exposed to too much electricity. Whenever a fuse is blown (or melted), it must be replaced by an electrician. 
  • Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs): A home’s GFCIs prevent electrical fires by cutting power to outlets when electrical anomalies occur. When a surge occurs, the GFCI will trip the circuit and cut off power to the outlet via the GFCI. 
  • Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs): AFCIs detect arcing faults caused by deteriorating or damaged wires. These faults cause electrical fires. If an arcing anomaly is detected, the AFCI will trip the circuit and cut off power to the outlet. 
  • Surge Protectors: Surge protectors prevent damage to electrical devices from power surges. When sudden spikes in electrical currents occur, any electrical devices plugged in can be damaged or destroyed if not protected from the surge. Surge protectors safeguard valuables like gaming stations, televisions, and other appliances while keeping a home safe from electrical fires.

All of these devices are essential electrical devices to have installed in any home. 

Watch Out for Overloaded Electrical Systemsoverloaded

All circuits can only handle a limited amount of electricity. If too much electricity goes through a circuit, melting and fires can follow. The circuit breaker of a home is designed to trip if too much electricity goes through it. Aside from the circuit breaker tripping, there are other signs that a home’s electrical system is overloaded. 
  • Outlet Signs: If scorch marks have appeared on the outlet, if an outlet is buzzing like a bee, or if the outlet covers are hot to the touch, the outlets are warning of electrical overload.
  • Light Signs: If lights are dimming or flickering frequently, an electrical overload is imminent. 
  • Electrical Appliance Signs: If electrical appliances are struggling to keep up with their everyday demands, there’s a chance the electricity system in a home is struggling to keep up. 

Whenever these signs crop up, it is essential to contact a qualified electrician immediately. Electrical surges are a crucial cause of electrical fires in a home. The electrician will identify any electrical issues with a thorough electrical inspection. 

Invest in Surge Protectionsurge

There’s more to surge protection than plugging in a few run-of-the-mill surge protections. Homeowners can invest in a whole house surge protection system. These systems are installed in the electrical panel of the home. These systems protect every single electrical appliance plugged into the home’s electricity, not just those appliances plugged into a wall-surge protector. 

Installing a whole-house surge protection system is an investment into a home’s appliances and electrical wiring integrity. These systems protect residences from lightning proximity surges, degrading mini-surges of electricity, power surges, and circuit boards frying. 

Homeowners should hire an electrician to evaluate whether a surge protection system is needed and any installation work required. Electrical changes in a home must comply with local ordinances and require working with hazardous electricity that requires tools most DIYers don’t own. 

About All Services

Top-notch care and affordable prices are what homeowners can expect working with the experts at All Service. Their fully licensed and insured technicians strive to provide only the best electrical services for every project in Crown Point, IN. From installing new outlets to comprehensive electrical inspections, All Services can handle it all. Call now for electrical services!

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