Home Electrical Safety

While electrical appliances are an everyday part of our lives, it's easy to forget that there are risks associated with their use. Most of us remember being told as a child not to run the hairdryer near the bathtub, stick a fork into an outlet, or use cracked cords. But what about less obvious electrical safety measures? Brush up on these tips and share them with your family.

Avoid putting pressure on a breaker that trips immediately after it is reset; an overloaded circuit is the most likely cause.

Avoid repurposing extension cords as permanent wiring, and don’t connect one extension cord to another. Consider having a qualified electrician add additional outlets so you do not have to use extension cords.

Use tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles in homes with small children; they will shutter the contact openings if a child attempts to insert an object.

Keep clothes, toys and other flammable materials away from heat-generating appliances for good air circulation and cooling.

Never staple or nail cords into place; use electrical tape to secure it instead.

Always follow manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into an outlet.

Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) installed to prevent electric shock or even fires. Both can be installed by a qualified electrician.

Relocate power cords instead of overloading outlets with multiple power strips.

Call ARS® at 1-800-277-9400 to see if a location near you offers comprehensive electrical inspection services. Our team will ensure that your home is operating safely and effectively.