Each May, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) sponsors National Electrical Safety Month to raise awareness of potential home electrical hazards, including an electrical overload at home. To help with this effort, we are sharing the top tips from our professional electricians: Don’t overload your home!
With today’s demand for technology, we see many homes that are severely overloaded with electronic devices, televisions, gaming units, chargers, computers, smart speakers, smart appliances and more!
Signs That You May Have An Electrical Overload At Home:
Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
Warm or discolored wall plates
Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches
How To Prevent An Electrical Overload At Home:
A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets.
Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet.
Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances.
All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time!
A professional electrical safety inspection is an easy way to keep your family and home safe from electrical shock, surges and even fires. This Electrical Safety Month, book your inspection and pay just $75!
