As electricians, some of the most important information we can give to homeowners are electrical safety tips. Not everyone knows about the dangers and safety concerns with inspecting and handling electrical systems. Some simple electrical fixes can be done by homeowners without the help of an electrician (like replacing batteries, lightbulbs, some switches, and fuses) but without the right proper safety precautions being taken, these can situations can be quite dangerous.

So, today we’re going to be listing some handy tips to remain safe when handling anything electrical. While ideally, we’d like you to contact one of the many electricians in Portsmouth, VA for every electrical problem you encounter, we know that all homeowners will call an electrician until the last possible second. That’s why we’d rather make sure when you are replacing a lightbulb or are inspecting your fuses, to follow the right procedures to ensure your safety.

So, pay attention class, this information could come in handy!

The Data

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, home-based electrical systems cause nearly 55,000 fires a year. Not only that, but these electrical fires cost $1.4 billion a year in property damage. Unless you’d like to join that number, we’d like to advise you to either call a professional when dealing with electrical systems or heed these specific safety tips.

Safety Tips

So, with using our own knowledge and the well-studied data from the ESFI, here are some must-know tips if you’re planning on handling anything electrical in your home.

• Do your research. Before you touch anything in your home that’s powered by electricity, do your research on the system itself. If you don’t know where the current is located or how the electrical power is transferred, you won’t be able to safely navigate it.
• Never attempt a project above your skill level. Know when to call the professionals if you’re having trouble with an electrical system. An electrician’s specialized equipment, training, and other resources can get the job done when the average homeowner can’t.
• Turn off the Power. Are you looking to replace a lightbulb or a device? Make sure the power is off before you try to attempt any electrical work. This is the first and most important step before you work on anything electrical.
• Test wires before you touch them. Just because you think the power is off, doesn’t mean you’re absolutely safe. Mistakes can happen and you’d rather not be shocked because you accidentally thought your device, light, or circuit was unplugged.

Call a Professional

You’re probably annoyed at how often we’re mentioning this, but we can’t emphasize this fact enough. Electrical systems are complex and dangerous when worked on by someone without the right training and expertise. Our electricians have the right certifications and licenses to ensure that your circuits, lights, devices, and whatever else you need work on can function properly.

Homeowners like to think they can fix everything in their home all by themselves. While this might be true about some things, sometimes the risk of electrical shock or property damage is not worth the few bucks you save by not calling a professional.

For all your electrical needs, give the House Call Company a ring. Contact us and see how we can make you smile!