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An electrical fire can spread quickly through your home and burn it to the ground. However, as a homeowner, you can take numerous critical steps to protect your home from this danger. Let’s explore the ways you can safeguard your home in Thousand Palms, CA, from electrical fires.
Replace Old and Damaged Wiring
If you live in an older house, inspect the wiring regularly, especially before the start of winter. Look for frayed and loose wires that can spark and start a fire. Hire one of our electricians from Home Team Electric to remove old or damaged wiring and replace it with brand-new, safe wiring.
Do Not Overload Circuits
Be cautious about the number of devices you plug into a power strip or outlet. Overloading the circuit can lead to overheating and increase the risk of an electrical fire. It also stresses the breaker box and raises the risk of the breaker for that outlet tripping.
Unplug Unused Appliances and Devices
When you are not using them, unplug appliances and electrical devices, including phone chargers, extension cords and power strips. This tip reduces phantom energy use. It also safeguards the wiring in your home’s electrical system, helps avoid wasting electricity and minimizes the risk of wires becoming overheated and sparking.
Check Electrical and Extension Cords for Damage
Regularly check the electrical and extension cords in your home for damage. Throw away, repair or replace the ones that have frayed or exposed wires.
Do not plug damaged cords into outlets. They can overheat, spark and quickly start an electrical fire.
Do Not Run Cords Under Carpets or Rugs
Even if the cords are intact, do not run them under carpeting or rugs. Cords that become hot or overheated can catch the fabric of the carpets and rugs on fire. If they have exposed wiring, they can also spark and easily ignite a fire that spreads quickly throughout your home.
Keep Rodents and Pests Out of Your Home
Rodents and creatures like raccoons and possums pose a serious hazard to your home’s electrical system. They are notorious for chewing through and damaging electrical wires.
Install window well covers on your basement windows. Use galvanized mesh to cover openings and vents where these creatures can crawl inside. Set traps for rodents, and do not leave food that can attract mice out on the table or counters.
Install AFCI Breakers
Install Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter, or AFCI, breakers. They detect and stop dangerous electrical arcs that occur when electricity jumps between loose or damaged wiring. They safeguard your house from risks like overloads and short circuits and add an extra layer of protection from electrical fires.
Use GFCI Outlets in Wet Areas
Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI, outlets in wet areas. Some examples of areas to install them include the bathroom, garage, kitchen, laundry or utility room and basement or crawlspace.
They monitor the electricity flow in an outlet. If it detects an imbalance, such as a current leaking through water, it will shut off the power instantly to prevent electrical shocks.
Use Surge Protectors
Use surge protectors for devices like TVs and computers. They offer protection from sudden spikes in voltage, such as those that occur during lightning strikes, large appliances cycling on and off and power outages.
Do Not Plug Heaters into Power Strips
A space heater can help keep your home warmer during the winter. However, do not plug this device into a power strip.
A space heater typically uses 1500 watts or more of electricity. This amount is too high for most power strips and can quickly overheat and melt the power strip. Instead, plug your space heater into a wall outlet.
Keep Space Heaters Away from Curtains and Upholstery
Avoid placing space heaters near curtains and upholstery, such as a bedspread or furniture. The heat from the space heater will heat and ignite the fabric. Instead, place it in an open area and on a hard surface, such as a linoleum or tile floor.
Inspect Holiday Lights
As you prepare to decorate for the upcoming winter holidays, inspect any strands of lights that you plan to hang closely. Look for damage, such as exposed wires and fraying. Replace broken bulbs that can spark and ignite.
Use LED Lights
Instead of using old and outdated incandescent holiday lighting, switch to LED lights. They do not emit as much heat as their older counterparts.
They also do not use as much power. You can decorate with more peace of mind that your indoor and outdoor lights will not get too hot and spark.
Use a Timer
Use a timer for your holiday lighting. Set a schedule for the lights to come on when the sun sets and turn off a few hours later when you go to bed. Avoid leaving the lights on all day and night.
Do Not Daisy-Chain Extension Cords
Avoid daisy-chaining extension cords. Plugging numerous extension cords into each other increases the chances of them overheating, melting the plastic casing and sparking. It also overloads the power circuit, trips the breaker and puts your home at risk of an electrical fire.
Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors
Before the autumn starts, change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Test the detectors to ensure they work correctly. Make sure you have several detectors in your house, including in areas like the kitchen, hallway and near the bedrooms.
Keep the Electrical Panel Accessible
Keep the area where the electrical panel is clear and accessible. If your home requires professional electrical services this fall and winter, our electrician must be able to access the panel quickly and easily. Remove objects like furniture or totes that will make it more challenging for us to access it.
Watch for Warning Signs
The electrical system in your home can give you clear signs that it needs professional repairs or maintenance. These signs often include flickering lights, buzzing electrical outlet sounds, warm outlet covers, frequent breaker tripping and scorch marks on outlet covers and appliances. If you notice any of these, contact Home Team Electric to inspect and service the electrical system.
Hire Professional Electricians for Upgrades and Complex Electrical Projects
Avoid DIY electrical projects. Instead, hire one of our experienced electricians for electrical upgrades and complex electricity-related projects. Professional electrician services ensure new fixtures like outlets and lighting work safely and will not spark, flicker or start fires.
Schedule a Professional Electrical System Inspection
Hire Home Team Electric to inspect your home’s electrical system before the start of autumn. This service includes close inspections of critical parts like the wiring, outlets and breaker box. It identifies potential hazards and allows you to repair them before they become more dangerous and costlier problems later.
Electrical Safeguards in Thousand Palms
At Home Team Electric, we are available 24/7 to help protect your home in Thousand Palms from electrical fires. Our locally owned company offers a 100% customer satisfaction money-back guarantee on our work. We have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and won the Morongo Basin Best of the Best Electrician, Safety Seal of Safety in 2017.
We also have Ygrene and Green Screen certifications. Contact Home Team Electric for expert electrical fire prevention services.
