In this entry, we’re going to discuss three common household hazards that relate to your electricity. One potential household hazard is connected to electrical cords. As we enjoy increasingly wireless technology and cordless appliances, those pesky cords are still around. And they can lead to dangerous scenarios.
How many cords are in your home? From room to room, just think: in the kitchen, in the living room, in the bathroom, in the bedrooms. If you’re like most households, you can probably think of dozens of electrical cords in your home, and each of them is a potential safety hazard.
You can reduce the safety risks by taking certain precautions.
First, there are measures you can take at the site of each electrical outlet:
• Make sure you don’t overload outlets with multiple cords. (Sure, those 6-in-1 outlet extensions can seem helpful, but they may not be the safest idea.)
• Make sure outlets are not exposed to water. (Outdoor outlets are specially designed to keep water out, but indoor outlets can be vulnerable. Think especially of those near kitchen or bathroom sinks.
The next category of safety measures surrounds the cords themselves:
• Use extension cords sparingly and only as temporary solutions. (They are simply not intended for constant use.)
• Never pull on the cord in order to unplug an item; instead, always pull the actual plug head of the cord.
• Periodically check cords for damage & wear and then repair or replace them as needed.
In addition to electrical outlet safety, water heater safety is a common household hazard.
Most electrical water heaters have a factory setting around 140 degrees. When water temperature is over 120 degrees, second or third-degree burns can result in only seconds. To prevent accidental scalding, you can adjust your water heater temperature to between 110 and 120 degrees.
If you live within our service area (Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess counties in New York and all of Connecticut), we recommend that you contact one of the certified electricians at D’Amico Electric.
If you plan to make that adjustment to your electrical water heater on your own instead, you’ll want to remove the fuse to be sure the electrical current is cut before you make that change.
Another potential hazard is found in faulty home appliances.
Whenever you have an appliance plugged into an outlet in your home, it is connected to electricity and can pose a threat. If you see sparks flying or if an appliance stops working properly, an electrical fire could result. In such a situation, you need to do more than simply turn off the appliance; you need to unplug it. If the faulty appliance continues to be connected to the electrical current or exposed to a live wire, electrocution is a potential threat.
To have your household electricity use and appliance safety evaluated, contact the professional electricians at D’Amico Electric.
D’Amico Electric Company
Since 1994, the D’Amico Electric Company has been offering electrical contracting services for industrial, commercial and residential buildings. From backup generator installation & ongoing maintenance to landscape/accent wiring and home theater systems, our experienced technicians are here to serve you. With our fleet of 10 trucks, we provide emergency electrical services 24 hours a day. Visit our website at damicoelectriccompany.com.
D’Amico Electric is licensed in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, New York and all of Connecticut. Our founder is Anthony D’Amico, a licensed electrician since 1992, who is a member of the Westchester Licensed Electrical Contractors Association.
When you need electrical help, choose D’Amico. We bring safe & innovative electrical solutions to homes & businesses. For more information on how we can serve you, call D’Amico Electric today at (914) 241-6909.
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