The electrical work in your home or business is something you use every day. While it all may seem as simple as the flip of a switch, there is nothing truly simple about electricity and it needs to be taken seriously. When it comes to the electricity in your home or business, there are safety measures you need to keep in mind. Most people know not to stick metal in an outlet or a toaster while it is plugged in, but there are many other safety precautions that you may not be aware of that could help keep you and everyone else safe.
At Bret’s Electric in Northern Colorado, we offer our expert and professional electrical services for homes and businesses. We specialize in commercial spaces, providing high-quality electrical services for medical centers, automotive dealerships, schools, and more. We also take pride in the safety of our services. Safety is a core value that we make sure every single person on our team understands and follows. We have won many awards and been recognized for our safe practices.
While we hope that everyone understands electrical safety, we wanted to give you some safety tips to help protect your business, your home, and everyone in these spaces. Read on to learn more and be sure to contact Bret’s Electric with any questions you may have or to schedule a service.
Don’t Overload Outlets
Overloading your outlets can be a major fire hazard. Each outlet is meant to put out a certain amount of energy, and if your home or business is older than 30 years, it is likely that it can’t even handle a normal electrical load. Plugging multiple high-wattage appliances should be avoided at all costs. If you overload your outlets, it could cause a trip in the electrical circuit breaker or lead to an electrical fire. If your home or business is on the older side, you should have it inspected to ensure that the electrical system can handle the average wattage and all of the appliances you will be using.
Use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, are a great addition to rooms with running water, such as a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and any outdoor areas. GFCIs will shut off the electrical current if and when it detects that the circuit has become a shock hazard. GFCIs are required in newer homes and businesses, so if your property is older, be sure to check that you have GFCIs in these areas. If not, get them installed! They will help keep your property safe.
Use The Right Wattage
It is important to use the right wattage in your appliances and fixtures to avoid electrical problems. Your lamps, ceiling fixtures, and appliances that require light bulbs should tell you the wattage that they can handle. Be sure to check all of these areas to ensure you are using the correct wattage of light bulbs. If your lamps do not have the wattage listed, use a 60-watt bulb or less. For ceiling fixtures that don’t have the wattage listed, use a 25-watt bulb. By ensuring that you are using the correct wattage for your fixtures and appliances, you can prevent electrical issues and overheating. Choose LED bulbs to consume less power and reduce your risk of overheating fixtures!
Rid Your Space of Damaged Electrical Cords
Damaged electrical cords may not seem like a big deal, but they can pose a serious risk to homes and businesses. Power cords that are damaged can lead to fires and electrocution, which are two big reasons to replace or repair damaged cords as soon as you notice them! If you notice a power cord is fraying or cracking, you should try to replace or repair it. Be sure to unplug the cord before repairing it to avoid the risk of getting electrocuted. If you cannot repair a damaged cord, be sure to replace it.
Unplug All Unused Appliances
Unplugging unused appliances is one of the easiest ways to practice electrical safety, but it is also an easy tip to forget! Unplugging unused appliances not only can help save power and reduce your energy bill, but it can also help prevent appliances from overheating or causing power surges. This is the simplest way to cut back on your electricity use and prevent electrical safety issues.
Keep Devices and Outlets Dry
Along with using GFCIs in areas where water is present, it is important that you keep devices and outlets dry. If electrical devices or outlets get wet, they cause damage to your appliances and may lead to electrocution. Be sure that your hands are dry when dealing with outlets or any other appliance to avoid the risk of injury or damage to your devices. It is also important that you keep electrical equipment away from aquariums, sinks, showers, bathtubs, and plant pots to help keep them dry. If you have wet hands or spill water close to an electrical device or outlet, be sure to try and wipe the water up quickly. If you have time, turn off the power to that area of your home or business to clean up the water and avoid getting injured or electrocuted.
Remember to Cut the Power
As we just mentioned, it is important to remember to cut the power when working on an electrical problem in your home. Whether you are replacing an outlet or performing any other electrical repair, it is extremely important that you cut the power in that room. If you fail to do this, you could get electrocuted.
Avoid Using Too Many Extension Cords
Extension cords are fine to use for a temporary period of time, but they should be avoided as a permanent solution. If you find yourself relying too much on extension cords, contact an electrician to install more outlets. This can help prevent any electrical issues from occurring. This is often important to keep in mind for businesses. If every person in your office is using an extension cord to keep the equipment up and running, it is time to call in a professional.
When it comes to electrical safety, there are many tips that everyone should know. By following these tips, you can avoid electrocution, fires, and other electrical problems. These are some of the most common safety tips that we want homeowners and business owners to know!
If you want to know more about electrical safety or you need electrical work done on your home or business, be sure to contact Bret’s Electric in Northern Colorado! We make safety our number one priority with every single job we take on. Learn more about our safety and services and contact us today!
