A new homeowner's electrical safety checklist
Moving into a new house is an exciting time. From unpacking boxes to decorating, there's a lot to do. During this busy time, don't overlook a vital aspect of your new home: its electrical system.
Get to know your electrical panel
Knowing your breaker box means understanding its parts, like the main breaker for the whole house, individual switches for circuit breakers, and their functions.
- Familiarize yourself with your electrical panel and label each breaker and panel by appliance or room.
- Test how to reset a tripped breaker.
- Find the main shut-off switch in case of an emergency.
Avoid electrical hazards
Knowing what to look for around your home and identifying potential hazards can ensure your family's safety, prevent fires, and reduce costly repairs.
- Have only one heat-producing appliance, such as a coffee maker, microwave, or space heater, plugged into an outlet at a time.
- Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, air conditioners, electric heaters, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Extensions cords and outlet strips should not be used.
- Inspect cords for signs of fraying or damage and replace or repair them immediately.
- Only use extension cords temporarily. Don't run cords under rugs, carpets, doorways, or windows. Have a qualified electrician add more outlets if needed.
- Use surge protectors to safeguard devices such as computers, televisions, and appliances from sudden power spikes.
- Always keep electrical devices away from water sources such as sinks, tubs, showers, and pools. Unplug items like hair dryers after use.
- Reduce risk of shock by using ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) around water sources such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, and outdoors.
- Use outlet covers to prevent children (and pets) from inserting objects into unused outlets.
- Use light bulbs with the correct wattage — lamps and fixtures have a sticker to indicate the maximum wattage.
- Have a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, and ensure there are units installed near your sleeping area.
- Keep outdoor ladders away from overhead power lines, including the electrical service into your home.
- Schedule an electrical inspection with a qualified electrician for peace of mind and to catch issues early.
Call a professional if you notice these signs of an electrical problem.
- Frequently blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, and unexplained power outages.
- A tingling feeling when touching an appliance.
- Discolored or warm outlets or switch plates.
- A burning or rubbery smell, or a buzzing or sizzling sound.
- Flickering or dimming lights.
- Sparks from an outlet.
Continue to practice electrical safety
As you settle in, keep electrical safety on your new-home checklist. Pair these habits with energy-smart steps like turning off lights and unplugging unused devices, and you'll reduce risk while lowering your utility bill. The little choices you make every day add up to a safer, more efficient household. Welcome home.
For more electrical safety information, visit SafeElectricity.org.
Article courtesy of SafeElectricity.org with modifications by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative. Headline image by natik_1123 from Pixabay.