Ways An Emergency Electrician Can Safeguard Your Home Against Electrical Hazards | Conway, SC

10/4/2022

A good number of households in the United States are powered by electricity. However, few homeowners practice electrical and appliance safety. Hence, it’s not surprising that approximately 500 deaths and 51,000 fires occur each year. Despite its convenience, electricity can be dangerous if not used properly, exposing you to fire and shock.

If there is a problem with your electricity, it should be handled promptly by a qualified electrician before it becomes a hazard. Most electrical dangers happen when an electrical issue is ignored or not appropriately fixed. Fortunately, most electrical threats are avoidable. Continue reading to learn how an emergency electrician in Conway, SC, can protect yourself and your loved ones from electrical hazards.

Inspecting Your Electrical Appliances and Equipment

During the winter, most people think of unpacking electric blankets, curling up in front of the fire, and plugging in the heater. But it’s also essential to keep your attention on electrical safety. As the winter season starts, you should contact an emergency electrician to check your electrical equipment and appliances for faults.

An electrician can check for pinched insulation on wires, loose connections, and frayed wires and cords. The expert also ensures that your wiring is not damaged, overheated, or cracked, as it can be pretty dangerous.

The technician thoroughly checks smoke alarms, lighting and sockets, and heaters on your property, and in case of any damage, a repair or replacement will be done. A certified electrician can follow up to set standards.

Heater and Light Placement

Heaters are increasingly used in most homes in the United States, especially in winter, exposing homeowners to electrical faults. Fortunately, you can protect your home by having an emergency electrician install plug-in heaters and lights. The pro can also help you identify a poorly placed plug-in and advise accordingly during yearly inspections.

Heaters should be well cleaned to remove dust build-up and placed in an open space instead of enclosed spaces to avoid overheating and fire. Also, powered-on heaters should not be left unattended.

A professional electrician can also advise on maintaining the correct wattage to avoid overheating. It’s important to note that flammable materials such as upholstery, bedding, drapes, and plastics can be hazardous if placed near light bulbs.

Check Your Electrical Blankets and Beds

Electric blankets help preheat your bed during the cold months saving you from dealing with cold sheets during bedtime. However, it would help if you took safety measures to prevent the blanket and bed from overheating and causing a fire.

An emergency electrician can check your electric blankets and beds to ensure they are safe before you use them. Pet owners in Conway, SC, can also have their heated pet beds checked for safety.

The electrician will ensure there is no damage, wires poking out, or distortion. It’s advisable to keep electric beds and blankets off when you are not using them. Also, they should be used for a limited time of 30 minutes, and if they are more than 10 years or older should be replaced to avoid fire or burns.

Check Your Water and Electrical Safety

Ideally, your home’s electrical outlets in the bathroom and kitchen should be far from the showers and sinks. And if it is avoidable, they should be protected from electrical shock and accidental contact using outlet plug covers.

An emergency electrician can identify an outlet near a water source that could endanger your home and cover or move them. Electrical appliances such as hairdryers should not be handled with wet hands, and you should stay away from taps, baths, and sinks when handling electrical appliances.

Check Cords and Electrical Cords

Though it is advisable to plug office and home peripherals and appliances directly into the socket, an extension cord may sometimes be needed. To prevent them from tripping, keep them fixed with cord organizers. An emergency electrician knows the right cord protectors for places such as floors where you can run extension cords.

The technicians adhere to other safety precautions while installing them, such as ensuring that they keep them from hot surfaces, not covering them with items such as blankets, which may cause overheating, and not overloading the extension cords. They also install outdoor-grade extension cords for home garden appliances.

Check Spaces for Appliances

Home appliances such as TVs, freezers, computers, and refrigerators should have adequate space around them so that their internal cooling system can work effectively. Though you can check the manufacturer’s recommended space and follow guidelines, having an emergency electrician adjust their positions or placing them correctly on the day you move or buy a new appliance is better. This could prevent some hazards in your home.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms give alerts in case of fire; therefore, it is a life-saving device. To keep it working effectively, you need to have an emergency electrician do regular checks and tests to ensure the batteries are working. In case of fire, your home will be protected. An electrician can replace the entire alarm when needed with the latest models that can detect smoke.

Get Expert Help to Prevent Electrical Hazards

Recognizing major electrical hazards in your home and the dangers of using electricity will help keep your family and house safe. At Mister Sparky of Myrtle Beach, we have licensed and experienced emergency electricians trained to inspect your electrical system and check your appliances for any sign of damage.

After inspection, our staff will provide a lasting solution that can protect you and your family from potential hazards. We also help our commercial and residential clients in Conway, SC, and beyond with electrical repairs, installations, replacements, and servicing. Get in touch with us today!

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