Don’t ignore your home’s electrical system! Follow this safety checklist

Electricity adds convenience to our everyday lifestyle.

Alarm clocks, coffee pots, cars, appliances, computers, chargers, and the last light we turn off at night are all part of a normal home’s electrical system.

Most of the time, electricity is both safe and available. However, we need to be proactive with the “safe” part.

Professional electricity safety check

One of the best things you can do is have an electrician perform a safety check of your system once every year or two. It is well worth the money and peace of mind.

Homeowners: Beware your electrical system!

Putting a plug into an outlet is a simple task. Here are a few things to consider about the condition of the device we are plugging in:

Homeowners should regularly examine appliance cords and ratings, GFCI breakers, and ARC Fault Circuits to help keep their homes safe from electrical issues. As with any DIY project, knowing what you are doing is a must to be safe.

• UL – listed: UL- stands for Underwriters Laboratory. Each appliance you use should carry this tag. It indicates the device has met the standards set by the UL and is safe to use.
• GFCI breakers: Check these monthly for operational readiness. You will find these breakers in areas typically exposed to water or moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and outdoors. A test button exists on each GFCI outlet or a GFCI circuit breaker in your electrical panel. Push the test button, and the outlet should not have power. If it still has power, the GFCI outlet or breaker is faulty and needs replacement. If the outlet does not have power, that means it is operating properly. Push the reset button to restore power to the outlet.
• ARC-FAULT: These breaker circuits include the entire circuit, not just a single outlet. Arc-fault circuit breakers are designed to detect current deviations. A wire can become exposed, and the electrical current can jump to an adjacent conductor outside the system. We can’t see most of our wiring to check for such defects, but we can check our Arc-fault circuit breakers regularly to be sure they are functional. The Arc-fault breaker will have a sticker identifying it and a colored test button. Push the test button. The breaker should switch off or go into a neutral position, disengaging power from the circuit. To turn the circuit back on, simply reset the breaker.
• Cords: Frayed cords are a fire and shock hazard. Frequently used cords can give out due to wear. For devices you have not used for a while, check out the condition of the cord before use. Examine the insulation around the wire and make sure no breaks or wear has caused the wire within to become exposed. Cords pushed behind appliances or furniture might be susceptible to such wear. Be sure to examine extension cords on a mower or power tool that is seldom used. Cords in the garage or shed may be damaged by rodents, insects, dryness, and subsequent cracking. Examine Christmas lights each year before you put them up.

We hope you find these tidbits about your home’s electrical system helpful. Please drop us a note at info@rosieonthehouse.com. Your feedback on articles like this electricity guide helps us stay relevant to your needs.