The old adage, "if it ain’t broke don’t fix it" should never apply to your electrical system. There are steps you can take to mitigate the possibility of an electrical problem. According to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, at least 25% of homeowners do not check for electrical hazards that can result in fire, injury, or death. Don’t be one of them. You don’t have to be an electrician to inspect your home for what could be dangerous. First, check your battery operated smoke detectors (make sure you even/have/smoke detectors). Replace the batteries at least twice a year. If you have an old fuse box make sure the fuses are properly sized. Chances are that 30 amp fuse is too big (unless it is feeding a clothes dryer) and can result in the wire overheating. And if you/do/have fuses you should seriously think about an electrical service upgrade. Do not place extension cords under rugs or in high traffic areas. Make sure cords are grounded (if used for appliances) and are sized properly. In other words don’t use a lamp cord for your window air conditioner. Cords should not be frayed and be in good condition. Do not use outlets in which plugs are loose fitting. A loose fitting plug can arc and result in a fire. Have the receptacle replaced. Outlets should not be overloaded with too many plugs. Make sure the wattage of light bulbs do not exceed the rated listing on the light fixture. If it says "Maximum 60 watts" don’t put in a 100 watt bulb. All outdoor receptacles should be GFCI protected. That’s "Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter" and it might just save your life. That goes for kitchen counters, bathrooms, unfinished basements and garages as well. If you have a very old home and the wiring is also old you may want to consult a licensed electrician. A recent study found that wiring 40 years and older may have degraded over time and pose a threat, especially when overloaded. If you think you have aluminum wiring (popular in the late 60’s and early 70’s) call a licensed electrician. Aluminum wiring should be replaced or treated at the termination points (outlets, switches, etc.). The homeowner or a handyman should not attempt the latter. As ALWAYS allow common sense to determine what is safe and what is not. If you do have an electrical issue and feel it need the attention of a professional don’t sacrifice your safety and that of your family’s to save a few bucks. There’s a reason that a licensed electrician charges more than a handyman. After all, you wouldn’t choose a surgeon by how cheaply they charged, would you? And if you do have a safety concern take care of it sooner rather than later. If you have any safety concerns or questions we’d be happy to help. Just click here, and you can send us your e-mail.