Ensure A Safer Haven With These Essential Electrical Safety Tips
Electricity is a fundamental part of our daily lives; powering everything from lighting and heating to appliances and entertainment devices. For modern homes, almost everything runs on electricity and being without it can cause serious issues to our routines.
As most people rely on electricity so much, we can forget how dangerous it can be if not handled correctly. At SCV Electrical, our experts are committed to protecting all homes and premises by delivering exceptional electrical services, installations and maintenance. We are passionate about providing high standards of electrical services and will ensure that clients are safe at all times.
Using our experience and professional skills, we are sharing five crucial electrical safety tips to ensure your household remains secure and efficient.
1. Regularly Inspect Electrical Cords and Outlets
Electrical cords and outlets are the main sources of power in our homes and therefore get the most use. As they are so frequently and widely used, a large portion of electrical safety tips need to focus on cords and outlets to ensure they are functioning correctly.
One of the main electrical safety tips we can offer is performing regular inspections of electrical cords and outlets around the home. There are two steps to this process, to ensure that your home is safe and running on reliable power:
Step One: Check for Wear and Tear
Over time, cords can become frayed or damaged, leading to potential hazards such as electric shocks or fires. As they are so commonly used, it is vital that these signs of wear and tear do not go unnoticed.
During your inspections, examine the cords for visible signs of wear and tear. This includes fraying, cracking, or exposed wires. You should also check plugs and outlets for signs of damage, specifically discolouration which can indicate overheating. Always ensure that appliances are unplugged ahead of inspections.
Step Two: Replace Damaged Components
If you spot any damage during your inspections, it is vital that you replace the cords or plugs immediately. Using damaged electrical cords can pose severe risks, including electrocution and fire hazards and therefore should be avoided at all costs.
Our domestic electricians can help with the replacement and upgrading of all outlets, as well as perform a complete home rewire if required.
2. Avoid Overloading Circuits
As a large portion of our lives are powered by electrical plugs and cords, it is common for people to get carried away. In many homes across the region, people are overloading their plugs, outlets and extension cables to give power to as many devices as possible.
While this may feel like an efficient way to keep your favourite devices powered up, it can pose significant safety risks. This is why one of the most important electrical safety tips we can offer is to avoid overloading circuits.
Understanding how they work and the kind of safety risks posed by overloaded outlets can make this step easier to implement.
Step One: Understand Circuit Capacity
Every electrical circuit in your home has a maximum capacity, and overloading it can cause the circuit breaker to trip or, worse, an electrical fire. Not only does it pose a significant safety risk, overloading circuits can also hinder the power they provide to your devices and you may find that things are not working as effectively as they should.
To avoid all of these issues, it’s crucial to understand the capacity of your circuits and avoid overloading them by limiting how many things are plugged in at once, especially high-wattage appliances.
For your safety, avoid plugging too many appliances into a single outlet as this can cause it to overheat and catch fire.
If you are limited by the number of plugs and circuits in your home, you should invest in power strips and extension cables that come fitted with surge protectors. These will help distribute the electricity more evenly and limit the risk of overpowering when everything is turned on.
Step Two: Monitor Electrical Usage
Another great way to prevent overusing circuits and outlets is to simply keep track of the number of appliances plugged in at any given time.
Not only should you be aware of what is powered on at any given time, but also take some time to track the wattage being used as this can give you a lot of insight into how dangerous your current electrical usage is and highlight areas where it can be adjusted.
This is particularly useful if you frequently experience tripped circuits because this is often a symptom of electrical overuse. Keeping track of your usage is a way to reduce how many times to circuit trips and keep your home safe.
Labels can be added to each circuit or extension so you can easily keep track of what is being plugged in.
If you do experience frequent tripping in the system, a professional electrician like those on our team should be called to ensure there is not a bigger issue at play.
3. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are essential safety devices that protect you from electrical shocks across the home. These devices work by shutting off power when they detect a ground fault or leakage of current to limit any issue across your home.
They are especially important in areas where water and electricity are in close proximity and can play a major role in your safety at home.
As part of our electrical safety tips, not only do we recommend installing GFCIs across the home but also regular testing of them to ensure they are working correctly. This can be easily done without the help of a professional electrician, as most GFCI outlets have a “test” and “reset” button that you can use to check their functionality and make sure they are operating safely.
Where to Install GFCIs
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Garages
- Basements
- Outdoor outlets
4. Practice Safe Appliance Usage
Appliances make our lives easier and are used in almost every room in the home, for most of us. From cooking equipment to entertainment, electrical appliances are designed to make everyday tasks easier to manage – but it’s essential to use them safely if you want to keep your home and loved ones secure.
There are two basic but very useful steps to safe appliance usage which we are going to share as part of our electrical safety tips:
Step One: Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions
It is common for us to simply throw away the instruction manual whenever we bring a new appliance into the home, especially if we are upgrading an existing one. If we feel as though we already know how to use the device, then there is no need to waste time reading up on it.
However, manufacturer instructions provide a lot more than simply how to use the device, as they are also crucial for electrical safety tips concerning that specific new tool and its power supply.
This is why it is essential for homeowners to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, usage, and maintenance no matter what kind of device they bring into the home.
Step Two: Turn Off Unused Appliances
It may simply be a force of habit to leave things plugged in and switched on, especially if you use them frequently. However, as part of our electrical safety tips, we’d highly recommend switching off and unplugging all appliances that are not in use.
Not only will this reduce the fire hazard that can come with constantly powering appliances, especially those which are prone to overheating, but it can also contribute to lower energy bills. Even if you are not actively using an appliance, having it plugged in can cost you money as energy is being used still.
Something as simple as switching off the outlet and unplugging the device can contribute to reducing your bills and making your home cheaper to run.
You can take things a step further and invest in smart plugs to make it easier to manage your appliances, even remotely.
Smart plugs allow you to power on or off your appliances even if you are not currently home, allowing for only the necessary electrical power to be used at any given time. These plugs can also be used to set timers and other efficient settings to reduce power usage.
5. Invest in Professional Electrical Inspections
Professional electrical inspections should be performed regularly to ensure that your home is safe. At SCV Electrical, we offer electrical testing, rewiring and inspections to keep your home safe and secure at all times.
Although performing inspections and checks yourself has been recommended as part of these electrical safety tips, a professional check should be done at least annually to check for issues you may not even be aware of. Our inspections cover a wide range of needs, including:
- Checking the condition of electrical panels and circuit breakers.
- Inspecting wiring for wear or damage.
- Testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.
If there are any issues found during these inspections, we can repair or replace them to make your home safe once more.
As well as inspecting electrical devices and outlets across the home, we can also provide professional testing and maintenance to ensure that your appliances are safe and in good working order, per national regulations.
If your home has an older electrical system, it might not meet current safety standards. Upgrading outdated wiring and panels can significantly improve your home’s safety and efficiency which is something our team can help with.
When to Upgrade
- If you frequently experience blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers.
- If your home still has knob-and-tube or aluminium wiring.
Conclusion
Electrical safety is crucial for every homeowner, and with these electrical safety tips, it can be ensured. Our electrical safety tips are designed to keep your home safe and efficient, not only reducing the risk of electrical hazards but also contributing to lower outgoings and better home management.
At SCV Electrical, we pride ourselves on providing professional and reliable electrical services across London and the surrounding areas. Our expert team is here to help with all your electrical needs, from inspections to upgrades and can deliver exceptional results every time.
Contact Us Today
Don’t wait for a problem to arise—contact us today to schedule a comprehensive electrical inspection and keep your home safe.
