A Top Electrician Breaks Down The Best Electrical Fire-Prevention Tips | Keller, TX
While electricity makes modern life easier, it can still pose a fire hazard. To prevent injuries and property damage, it’s important to take the proper precautions and hire trusted electricians for installations, repairs and replacements of electrical components in your Keller, TX, home. Thousands of people die in home electrical fires due to poor wiring, excessive cords plugged into a single outlet and other dangerous equipment and lifestyle elements.
If you live in a home built before 1950, we highly recommend having your entire electrical system inspected by one of our master electricians. Prior to this time, electrical standards were vastly different. Additionally, modern appliances and electronic devices demand more power than outdated systems can handle. It’s important to understand how you can prevent fires due to faulty switches, unprotected outlets and bad habits.
So, the team at Tioga Plumbing & Electric has put together the following tips to keep your home and family safe. You can also enjoy a better performance on your electronic devices when you take the right steps to upgrade your electricity.
Essential Electrical System Maintenance
If you want to avoid electrical fires and other hazards, hire one of our skilled electricians to provide annual maintenance. This could include tune-ups to your electrical panel and any sub panels, comprehensive inspections following a storm, replacement of damaged cords and diagnosing problems that cause flickering lights and power outages.
Our professionals carefully evaluate your electrical wiring, noting any damaged wiring that could cause a safety hazard for your family. We also check the electric meter to ensure you aren’t overcharged for your monthly electricity bill. We make sure that your entire system runs smoothly and identify any faults. If we find old wiring, we can replace it to prevent electrical accidents and make it easier to use contemporary appliances.
It’s important to replace tattered and worn-out wiring, which can cause arc faults. Once you switch to well-insulated wiring, you can breathe easier, knowing your family is that much safer at home.
Check the Appliance Plugs
If you have recently replaced appliances in your home, you’re probably keen to prevent any damage that would undermine your investment. It’s important to follow the maintenance instructions for all appliances you obtain and contact one of our master electricians to ensure that you have the right outlet to power appliances safely.
We will inspect the plugs and wiring, noting any sparks or false ones that could cause the appliance to overheat or present a fire hazard. In addition, our electricians carefully review the manufacturer’s information to make sure that your home electrical system meets all of the safety requirements.
Prevent Circuit Overload
If you constantly buy new appliances and electronic gadgets, it’s important to ensure you don’t overburden your electrical system. Our electricians will inspect all the components you need to support your new gadgets. If the lights flicker when you use certain appliances, it’s probably an issue with the switches, wiring or plugs. Left unaddressed, an overheated wire can melt the insulation, greatly increasing the risk of fire.
We can install overload protectors to safeguard your Keller, TX, home. Alternatively, our electrician can install circuit breakers to reduce the risk of an electrical fire. The fuses and breakers must match the circuit feeding the outlet you plug the appliance into for optimal performance and safety considerations.
If you have high-powered electronic devices such as washing machines, air conditioners and heating systems, it’s important to provide them with dedicated outlets to avoid overloading the system. Our qualified professionals can determine the circuit load and prevent overburdening your system with the right upgrades or new additions.
Keep Appliances Clear of Flammable Materials
All appliances should have at least three feet of distance from flammable or combustible items. This includes clothing, curtains, furniture and other flammable objects. If you notice sparks or fire at any outlets, discontinue use and contact our team immediately. It’s also important to have smoke detectors installed throughout your home to keep your family safe.
Install Surge Protectors
A power surge can damage appliances and electronic devices. Surges come from numerous sources such as downed power lines and lightning strikes. Sudden changes in electricity can also cause power surges. In addition, if you have air conditioners, refrigerators and other appliances that use a lot of electricity, they sometimes cycle on and off, potentially causing power surges.
When it comes to power surges, you have more to worry about than fire hazards. They can cause massive damage to expensive appliances. Having an electrician install a whole house surge protector can prevent fires and give you peace of mind regarding the safety of your electrical system.
Put in Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters
To avoid electrical hazards, consider installing arc fault circuit interrupters. AFCI Is a great way to protect your home against aged wiring. It can also help your home meet local, state and national electrical standards. Whether you just bought a new home or plan to sell your old one, this is a smart investment with immediate returns.
by installing an AFCI inside your electrical panel box, You can receive notification of arc faults and wiring issues before they become a major hazard.
Now you know how to protect your home and family from electrical fires. You also know how to avoid power surges with whole house surge protectors installed by our dedicated professionals. In fact, we can handle your electrical needs and questions.
Let us help keep your family safe and install devices that make it easier and more comfortable to use modern appliances in your home. Contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric today to schedule an appointment with a qualified electrician in Keller, TX.
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