Did you know that May is National Electrical Safety Month?
At Wes Carver Electric, we offer everything from generators to electric vehicle charger installation in Bucks and Montgomery County PA. In honor of this important, awareness-raising month, we wanted to tell you about some of the simple ways that you can protect your home and yourself from electrical dangers.
Schedule Annual Safety Inspections
Regular electrical inspections give you the peace of mind that your home is safe. Our friendly neighborhood electricians at Wes Carver Electric offer two inspections. A standard inspection will check your smoke detectors, electric meter and panel, basement wiring and other electrical systems. You may want a more thorough safety check if you:
- Just Moved Into a New Home
- Live in an Older Home
- Are Planning to Sell Your Home
Check Your Smoke Detectors
If your smoke detectors start chirping and you know that the battery is not dead, then it’s time to replace them. These life-saving devices usually have a lifespan of 8-to-10 years. Once a month, you should test your smoke detectors to make sure they’re working correctly and put in new batteries. You can also save yourself the chore of constantly changing batteries by installing maintenance-free smoke detectors with sealable batteries, which only chirp when they need replacing.
Install GFI Receptacles Across Your Home
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI) receptacles protect us from electric shocks causes by household devices. The odds of getting a shock are higher in areas with more moisture, so it’s particularly important to install GFI outlets or circuit breakers in rooms such as your:
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Garage
- Laundry Room
Use Extension Cords Safely
Extension cords can overheat and start fires, but with proper use, you can minimize this risk. First, you should always examine your extension cords for damage. Do not plug them in if you find cracked sockets, bare wires or loose connections. Additionally, never plug two extension cords into each other, substitute these cords for permanent wiring solutions or use a three-prong plug in a two-slot outlet.
Don’t Ignore Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment
Has your home experienced flooding? Even thoroughly dried electrical equipment can pose a long-term safety and fire risk. Industry experts recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate all water-damaged electrical systems. They will then determine what items can be reconditioned and what needs to go.
To find out more about how our team at Wes Carver Electric, the leading electric vehicle charger installers in Montgomery County PA, can keep your electrical systems functioning safely and correctly, we encourage you to call us today at 267-498-9009.