Electricity in homes has become fairly essential to our everyday lives. For all of its advantages and capabilities, electricity in the home can be quite dangerous. Many dangers relating to electricity in homes are related to the potential for it to start fires. That’s why it’s crucial to take the proper safety precautions. Using this electrical safety checklist can help protect your home, your family and yourself while reaping the benefits of electricity and everything it powers.
Make sure your alarms are working properly
As noted earlier, fires are perhaps the biggest threat electricity poses to your home. That being said, smoke alarms are essential to your home’s fire safety. Make sure your smoke alarms have healthy batteries and replace them if necessary. It’s also a good idea to test them once a month and change the batteries every six months, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Use surge protectors
If you’re not doing so already, you should use a surge protector to connect various appliances to their power outlet. The surge protector keeps your appliances safe by diverting excess voltage to the outlet’s grounding wire in the event of a power surge, as is the case of lightning striking a power line. Surge protector power strips also allow you to plug more than a single device into an outlet. It’s important to not overdo it, though.
Check cords, outlets and light bulbs for damage
Frayed electrical cords are major fire hazards. Take a look at any extension cords you may be using to ensure they are working and not damaged. While inspecting extension and appliance cords, be sure to note the condition of your home’s outlets as well. You’ll also want to make sure the cords aren’t exposed to any water, which is also a safety hazard. Check all the light bulbs in your home, too, and double-check that they’re the right wattage.
Replace filters
One of the primary causes for reduced circulation in a house is a dirty air filter. Restricted airflow results in your heater or air conditioner having to work harder to heat or cool your house. The harder or more often they run, the more you’ll be paying for them on your electric bill. You’ll also want to clean or replace the filters on your refrigerator and range exhaust hood. Cleaning your dryer duct is crucial as well, as it’s very easy for too much lint to catch fire.
Check your appliances
Conduct an inspection of your home’s appliances to make sure they’re all working correctly. Ones that aren’t functioning properly or won’t turn on could be an indication of faulty electrical components. There may also be dust or debris that is hindering their function, as is commonly the case with refrigerators and dusty refrigerator coils. You’ll also want to unplug any appliances that aren’t being used. Not only will it reduce the likelihood of an electrical fire, but it’ll also cut down your electric bill.
Schedule an inspection
When in doubt, have a pro check it out. If you’re uncertain about the state of your home’s electrical wiring, don’t hesitate to have a professional electrician perform an inspection. They are able to tell you if everything is running smoothly and if there is a problem, they can help you fix it sooner rather than later. Sometimes early detection can be the difference between a simple inexpensive fix and a costly home repair.
These tips can go a long way toward making your home safer and prevent electrical fires.
How would you like to help keep families and homes safe by using electrical skills and knowledge to conduct inspections? At Coyne College in Chicago, you can train to become a field-ready electrician.
At Coyne College in Chicago, you can choose from two electrical work training programs: Electrical Construction and Planning and Electrical Construction and Maintenance. In either program, you’ll learn the essentials of electrical work in a setting dedicated to your individual success. Coyne College’s highly knowledgeable instructors have years of practical, real-world experience and are eager to help you make the most of your education.
As a student in Coyne College’s electrician programs, you’ll gain comprehensive knowledge about relevant subjects, such as, such as:
- Electrical and Electronic Principles
- Electrical Test and Equipment Safety
- Electrical Construction – Residential
- Electrical Theory and Applications
In addition to flexibility and quality instruction, Coyne College’s career services department can help you with job placement, including apprenticeships. Coyne College has more than 120 years of experience in helping transform students with dreams into qualified, skilled trade professionals. With day and night options available at our Chicago Loop campus, we’re committed to helping you fit a skilled trades education into even the busiest of schedules.
Discover everything Coyne College has to offer and begin your journey to a new career today by logging on to CoyneCollege.edu or call us at 800-720-3990.
