May is recognized as Electrical Safety Month, and many times we don’t know we are living in unsafe conditions until it is too late. Prevent inconvenience or potential fire and be safe.

1. Is your home wired with aluminum wiring?

If you answer yes, you could experience or are experiencing some unsafe situations. Aluminum wiring cannot withstand high temperatures and is considered a fire hazard.

2. Do you have GFCI outlets in your kitchens and bathrooms?

If you answered no, you need to install. GFCI outlets protect you when water is present. These need to be installed in kitchens and bathrooms to protect you from electric shock.

3. Do you use extension cords as a permanent convenient electrical solution?

Extended use of extension cords is never a safe solution. Installing another outlet in your home is a safe and affordable way to provide convenience and safety to your electrical.

4. Do you have outlets hot to the touch, or ones which spark?

The outlet could be defective, or wires worn. This is in an unsafe situation. Over time, you will be experiencing a greater and greater fire risk.

5. Do you experience a circuit which needs to be reset frequently?

This is a result of either an overloaded circuit (can’t handle the electricity you need at one time), or faulty wiring (short circuit or ground fault). Both of these situations are not safe, and can be rectified by an electrician.

6. Have you replaced your smoke detectors in the past 10 years?

If not, you should. Updates in technology, and the recommended life span of each unit, requires changing them every 10 years for the safest conditions in your home.

7. Do you have back up power in the case of a power outage and have people requiring electricity for medical equipment?

Back up power has never been easier. Portable generators, transfer switches, and whole home generators keep your home running in power loss situations. Why be inconvenienced? Explore your options for generators and don’t take chances especially if your family has special needs.

8. Do you use tamper resistant receptacles in the home with children present?

Tamper resistent receptacles are a permanent and convenient solution to keep your children safe. Unlike caps or outlet covers which can be removed by children 2-4 (children are extremely inquisitive), these receptacles have built in shutters which prevent objects from being inserted into the outlet. They are currently required by law in childcare facilities.

9. Do you regularly use electronics in the home without surge protection?

Lightening strikes, AC going on and off, and large appliances in use, can all create a sudden increase in voltage and surge power in the home. This in turn can damage or destroy sensitive electronics also on the same circuitry within the home.

10. Do you use electricity in your pool area or boat dock?

Make sure GFCI’s (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), ELCI’s (Equipment Leakage Circuit Interrupters), are in use and be sure to know the location of your main power cords, power pedestal, or dockside electrical system near your marina or dock. Discourage swimming around a marina or your dock, and make sure all electrical is inspected yearly for damage or corrosion.

Walter Electric is the area expert in ceiling fan installations.  We guarantee satisfaction and make sure it is done right the first time. Call us at 410-590-5959 for an estimate.