Electricians Wichita KS
10 electrical safety tips for your home
1
Check that you're using the correct wattage in all your fixtures and appliances.
Using the right bulbs can prevent electrical problems, so check all lamps fixtures and appliances to ensure you're using the correct wattage. If a light fixture has no wattage listed use 60-watt bulbs or less.
For the unmarked ceiling, fixtures choose 25 what bulbs.
PRO-TIP
Led bulbs consume less power and reduce the risk of fixtures overheating
2
Watch out for overloaded outlets to protect your home.
Overloading an electrical outlet is a common cause of electrical problems, check all outlets to ensure they are cool to the touch have protective faceplates, and are in proper working order.
3
Replace or repair damaged electrical cords to keep your home safe.
Damaged power cords are a serious residential electrical safety risk and they are capable of causing both fires and electrocution. All power and extension cords should be checked regularly for signs of fraying and cracking, and they should then be repaired or replaced as needed.
Power cords should not be stapled into place or run under rugs and furniture.
Cords under rugs pose a tripping hazard and can overheat while furniture can crush cord insulation and damage.
Wire the use of extension cords on a regular basis may mean that you don't have enough outlets.
To fit your needs have a qualified electrician Wichita KS who understands electrical safety rules.
Install additional outlets and rooms where you often use extension cords.
When purchasing a power cord consider the electrical load, it will carry a cord with a load of 16 AWG can handle up to 1 375 watts, for heavier loads use a 14 or 12 AWG cord.
PRO-TIP
AWG stands for American wire gauge the lower the number the thicker the cord.
4
Keep your users and in used cords tidy and secure to prevent damage
Electrical safety rules don't just apply to power cords when they're in use cords also need to be stored safely to prevent damage.
Keep stored cords away from children and pets (who may chew on or play with the cords).
Try to avoid wrapping cords tightly around objects; this can stretch the cord or cause overheating.
Never rest a cord on a hot surface in order to prevent damage to the cord's insulation and wires.
5
Unplug all your unused appliances to reduce potential.
One of the simplest electrical safety tips is also one of the easiest to forget:
When an appliance is not in use, unplug it.
Not only does this save you power by reducing any phantom drain (the amount of energy the device consumes even when not actively in use), but unplugging in used appliances also protects them from overheating or power surges
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6
Keep electrical devices and outlets away from water to prevent shock.
Water and electricity don't mix well.
To follow electrical safety rules, keeping electrical equipment dry and away from the water prevents damage to appliances and can protect against personal injury and electrocution.
When working with electrical appliances, it's important to have dry hands.
Keeping electrical equipment away from plant pots, aquariums sinks showers and bathtubs lowers the risk of water and electricity coming into contact
7
Give your appliances proper space for air circulation to avoid overheating.
Without proper air circulation, electrical equipment can overheat and short out and can become an electrical fire hazard. Make sure your appliances have proper air circulation and avoid running electrical equipment in enclosed cabinets.
For best electrical safety, it's also important to store flammable objects well away from all appliances and electronics.
8
Ensure that all your exhaust fans are clean to prevent fire hazards.
Some appliances have exhaust fans, which can get dirty or clogged with debris and make the appliance work harder.
This can shorten the life of the appliance and can cause a risk to the home due to overheating or even cause a buildup of dangerous gases that can lead to an electrical fire hazard.
Cleaning exhaust fans regularly helps prevent such hazards.
9
Always follow appliance instructions for improved electrical safety.
"Read the instructions" should top the list of electrical safety tips at home.
Understanding how to safely operate appliances improves both the performance of your device and your personal safety. Should any appliance give you even a slight electrical shock, stop using it until an Electrician Wichita KS checks it for problems.
10
Be aware of heaters and water heaters to prevent potential accidents.
Combustible items should be kept away from portable heaters and built-in furnaces.
For furnace safety, store combustibles far away from any heating appliances.
Portable heaters should not be operated close to drapes, and to prevent tipping, they should only ever be placed on a stable surface.
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