10 Electrical Safety Tips to Avoid A Household Fire

Household fires caused by a faulty electrical household appliance can happen at any time and without warning. It's important that as a responsible family member, you take as many precautions as possible to prevent the likelihood of household fires from happening.

Here are the top 10 electrical safety tips provided by Gordon Powers Level 2 Electricians to help your household remain safe at all times.

1. Always stay alert and pay attention to what you are using around any electrical appliances.
2. Never overload electrical outlets or extension cords with too many appliances plugged into them at the same time.
3. Make sure that any small appliances (i.e., lamps, TV's, stereos, microwaves,) are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) approved for safety reasons - they should also be marked as having passed inspection by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
4. If something feels wrong with an appliance remove it from the outlet quickly; do not use if it emits strange smells or smoke of any kind, sounds odd when used, looks odd in general or seems to feel hot when touched even after being turned off . Such a thing is most likely a fire waiting to happen and should not be used until it is checked by a professional.
5. Do not charge or use anything that has frayed, cut or otherwise damaged wiring (i.e., do not use any appliances with cracks in the plastic).
6. Never leave electrical appliances on overnight, unsupervised by an adult; always make certain that they have been turned off before leaving them alone or going to sleep.
7. If you live in a household with children stay on top of their toys and look for any things that may have wire exposed - if so dispose of them properly as soon as possible.
8. Unplug everything when not using them as sometimes malfunctions can cause power to flow even when unplugged.
9. Never unplug anything by pulling on the wire, always carefully grasp the plug itself and pull it out of the outlet slowly and steadily - this prevents wires from being accidentally pulled loose or broken.
10. Make sure that all outlets are properly grounded with a three-pronged plug for a standard American outlet (two prongs and a metal rib in the middle). Do not use an adapter unless absolutely necessary as adapters can cause some appliances to function improperly or become dangerous due to faulty wiring connections.

In addition, do not place any objects over an electrical outlet that could potentially fall into it as they may create a spark that could turn into a dangerous fire if left uninterrupted. Using extension cords with other appliances is also not recommended as they can be a fire hazard.

Finally, always use surge protectors for computers and other devices containing sensitive electronic components. Check your local hardware store or consult an electrician to ensure that you are using the best outlet options for your home's outlets.

If you're buying a property and you have suspicions electrical safety has been neglected, in addition to your usual comprehensive pre-purchase building inspection, have a qualified electrician test the electricals.  

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