According to the Electrical Safety Foundation of America, more than 50,000 house fires are caused by electrical malfunctions every year. This results in $1.3 billion in property damage. Ensuring that your electrical systems are operating as efficiently as possible is critical to your safety and your family too.
It might seem like you are throwing good money away on electrical inspections if nothing appears to be wrong. However, failing to do so can cost you greatly.
While changing a lightbulb or adding a new socket cover can be taken care of yourself in most cases. However, anything that extends beyond this should be carried out by local electrical contractors. They can ensure the repair is rectified safely and risk is minimized.
Know the warning signs that something is wrong. This can allow you to call the professionals in and get your electrical system checked.
Exposed Wiring
Exposed wiring creates a danger for everyone in the house. It is hazardous for children. Whether it’s an open splice that hasn’t been adequately boxed or simply some wiring that has slipped out of its protective housing, it needs to be addressed right away.
This is important for the safety of everyone involved as well as the overall health of your home. It can also affect the electrical system in your neighborhood.
When it comes to wiring, you’d be surprised at how quickly something seemingly innocuous can spiral out of control. Don’t ignore wanting signs or visible damage. Get it checked out immediately.
Burning Smell
You must stop what you are doing and turn off the electricity whenever you notice a burning smell. If you ignore this burning smell, it could be the beginning of an electrical fire. It could also be or a wire short that will spark and cause a disaster if not addressed immediately.
Additional precautions should be taken. These include checking the source of the problem (the outlet or switch) for black marks or any signs of burning. Make a physical check of the walls in the surrounding area. This will ensure that they are not hot to the touch. This could indicate that a fire has started inside the walls.
Heat
Electrical appliances generate heat. But the outlet itself should never become hot. If you notice heat coming from an outlet, unplug all cords and refrain from using the outlet. Allow a professional to resolve the problem.
Switch cover plates should be treated in the same way, with one exception. Dimmer switches, which dissipate the excess electrical energy required to produce the dimming effect, may become warm to the touch.
It should be noted that even the cover plates of dimmer switches should never be uncomfortably hot to the touch. When installing a dimmer switch, always check the wattage to ensure that it is not producing excessive heat.
A damaged electrical system can have massive, even fatal consequences. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, make sure you get it checked out as a matter of urgency.