Top 3 Electrical Hazards in Your Home

We like to think of our Boynton Beach home as our safe haven. And it can be if attention is paid to maintaining integral areas. Electrical hazards are threats that can literally be a matter of life or death if ignored. Always have a qualified electrician inspect and repair your wiring.

Old Wiring

Rehabbing homes is the big trend right now. Whether for yourself or for resale, care must be taken when you come across older wiring. Any wiring over twenty years old was not constructed to support the increased electrical demands of today. Computers, HDTVs, cell phone chargers, microwaves and video games all are a drain on circuitry that wasn’t designed to support it.

In addition to overloaded capacity, older wiring also can begin to deteriorate. Wires used t be coated with a rubberized material which dries out and crumbles over time. This can leave exposed wires posing fire hazards. Today, wires are covered with PVC which is less prone to deterioration

Frayed Cords

And don’t forget the wiring that is part of older appliances. These, too, can wear. Inspect cords and internal wiring, if possible. Replace appliances with newer energy efficient models when wear occurs.

Never run cords under carpets or rugs. The constant rubbing of carpet backing can cause the coating to wear and the wire to be exposed. And because the cord is not exposed to inspection, this can be happening without you knowing it. Frayed cords are a major source of fires in the home and electrocution.

Water and Electricity

It may be known that water and electricity do not mix, yet that fact gets forgotten in everyday life. It is said that water is a great conductor of electricity. More specifically, the particles found in the water are the conductors. The contaminants in water work to pass the electricity from the water into a human causing electrical shock.

Never touch a plug or switch with wet hands. Never operate any electrical device around water. Never have an electrical device where it may fall into water, such as a bathtub. Do not run extension cords through water, such as puddles or damp ground.

New building codes require the use of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets to be used around any type of water. GFCI shuts down the current when it identifies a problem with the circuit, thus shielding anyone who is in contact with the switch or device. Be sure to replace outlets, especially in your Boynton Beach home’s bathrooms and kitchens, if around water sources.

Any hold ups regarding your Boynton Beach, FL air quality? Call East Coast Mechanical Services at (561) 475-1889 today to care for the health of your home.

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