Advice from Your Local Electrician: Learn About Five Potential Dangers That Might Be in Your Home Right Now

Nobody likes to find out that their house is unsafe for their family, but for far too many California residents, this is the case. Continue reading to learn about five electrical risks that might endanger you and your family, and then call Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126 for assistance with home electrical issues.

Extending extension cords too much

Extension cables and power strips are frequently overused by households. Both of these gadgets should be used for only a few minutes at a time. Why? Because your outlets may not have been designed to handle the quantity of electrical power required to power four or five gadgets. If they are not up to the task, they may overheat, which might result in an electrical fire.

Water in the vicinity of your power source

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets should be installed in any sinks in your house that are located in moist areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or workshops. These are three-pronged outlets with safety reset buttons that switch off the electrical flow if they come into contact with water.

Your pets and children may be putting themselves in danger

Small children and dogs are curious and low to the ground. They may try to jam various objects into your outlets. Use plastic child-safe covers or install tamper-resistant outlets to solve this problem. Tamper-resistant outlets are frequently recommended because they feature plastic barriers that prevent anything other than a plug from entering the socket. It won’t get in, whether it’s a fork, a finger, a toy, or a claw.

Also, make sure there are no unsecured cables on your ground. Simply secure the cords with tape or another form of cord-securing solution to keep them from being tripped over by children or chewed on by dogs. Just be careful not to bury them under carpets, as this might cause a fire.

Using cords that have been tampered with

You should not utilize any cables that are frayed, melted, broken, corroded, discolored, or otherwise damaged from your appliances or other sorts of devices. Shocks, burns, and even flames can occur if interior wires are exposed. Unplug cables by pulling the plastic end, rather than yanking the cord out of the wall, to avoid damage.

Smoke alarms that aren’t working

The most prevalent problem with smoke alarms is that they are missing their batteries. Every three months, check the batteries and see if the detector is still working. One alternative is to repeat it when the seasons change.

If you have any other worries concerning household energy, call Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126 and we’ll be happy to assist you in finding the best answers.