Thursday, October 2, 2014

Avoiding Electrical Fire Disasters

Did you know that 53% of residential fires involve electrical wiring, which are hidden behind the faceplates on your light switches? Flying sparks are obvious, but lots of other electrical danger signs are more subtle. Keeping an eye out for these five warning signs below, this can be the difference between fire prevention and a fiery disaster.

Loose ends on extension cords. If your extension cord has loose ends, or you tried to bandaged an extension cord with electrical tape, it’s time to replace it. Damaged cords may have exposed live wires that lead to shock and fire hazards.
Tripping GFI outlets. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFI) is an outlet typically located in kitchens and bathrooms – often within six feet of a water source – that prevents people from being electrocuted. These outlets immediately stop the flow of electricity (and “trip”) when they sense the slightest change in the current. If your GFI starts tripping repeatedly, you probably have an electrical problem or a worn-out GFI outlet receptacle. If that is the case you can contact us and we will fix this issue.
Wobbly ceiling fans. If your ceiling fan isn’t rotating evenly, your device either isn’t correctly mounted to the electrical box, your blades are unbalanced or your blades are warped. If it is not your blades being unbalanced we suggest calling an electrician (like us) to fix damaged wires and electrical boxes.
Inappropriate bulb wattage. Using a bulb that has a higher wattage than recommended is a fire hazard and may overheat the light fixture. If you are dealing with a fixture with multiple bulbs or a strand of lights, check all of the bulbs individually and replace them as needed. Be consistent with the bulbs’ wattage in this situation.
Warm faceplates. If your faceplate is warm to the touch, you probably have an oversized electrical load operating on that unit. Monitor any warm faceplate you find. If the problem persists, or the faceplate becomes hot to the touch, give us a call!
Quality Electric is here for you and can fix every electrical need in your home. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you are having any of these issues listed above. We want our customers to be safe!

Quality Electric Service 
www.qualityelectricservice.com
609.861.1409

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