Electrical Safety Tips for Your Home

As a general rule, you should contact a certified electrician to do any kind of electrical work in your home that you are either unqualified for or simply uncomfortable with doing yourself. This is especially true if you are going to be adding any new wiring to your home—this is the kind of work only a professional should do.

However, as a homeowner, there are plenty of standard rules you should know about electrical safety in your home, both for electrical jobs and for general electrical knowledge around your house.

Here are a few safety tips for your home from an electrician in Forsyth County, GA.

Safety at panels and outlets

Here are a few quick safety tips specific to areas around electrical panels, outlets and fuses:

• If you blow a fuse, turn off all lights and appliances on that circuit before changing the fuse.
• Always use a flashlight when changing a fuse or flipping a breaker.
• Only replace fuses with fuses that have the exact same rating.
• Never replace fuses with other metal objects.
• Use GFCI outlets for all outlets located outdoors or in areas with moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
• If your home uses plug-type fuses, check every now and then to make sure they’re tight.

Cords and plugs

Here are a few safety tips specific to cords and plugs:

• Always pull the plug, not the cord, when you are disconnecting a device from an outlet.
• Never unplug a device while your hands are wet or while you’re touching a metal item.
• Only use three-pronged extension cords for outdoor use.
• Make sure all cords stay away from moisture and heat.
• If you have cords or plugs beginning to show signs of wear, replace them immediately.
• Only use extension cords that are correctly rated for the amount of electricity you’ll use.
• Do not run cords under carpets, past doorways or anywhere else they could be tripped over or stepped on.
• If you have extra cord length, roll it up and tie it with plastic twist-ties or Velcro straps.
• If you need to plug multiple devices into a single outlet, make sure you get a power strip that is certified.
• Extension cords are not intended for permanent use. Work with an electrician to develop permanent electrical and wiring solutions where needed.

Electrical devices and appliances

Here are a few safety tips specific to electrical devices:

• Always unplug electrical devices when not in use.
• Keep all electrical devices away from sinks or other water sources.
• When you use an electric lawnmower, you should only cut the grass when it’s dry.
• If your electric item is near a gas supply and you smell gas, do not flip any switches, as it could cause a spark. Instead, call your utility company’s emergency phone number.

For more information about general electrical safety tips that can help you stay safe in your home, contact an electrician in Forsyth County, GA.

Categorised in: Electrician

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