If you own a home, there’s a good chance you want to take the best care possible of your home. You probably think about the life of your roof, the foundation, maintaining the lawn, and keeping up with curb appeal.  However, when is the last time you thought about electrical safety in your home? Do you check regularly to ensure your electrical wires, outlets, and switches are working properly?

While this may not be at the top of your list right now – you should put it there. Use these tips to improve electrical safety in your home.

Replace Any Damaged Electrical Cords

If there’s a damaged electrical cord in your home, it can cause a serious shock if you happen to touch it. It may also result in an electrical fire. Each of these things can be fatal, so be sure to check the cords on a regular basis. If there is any electrical tape that is wrapped around them or if there are loose plugs, you need to replace them. While you may be able to repair them if you cut the damaged portion off and replace the end of the plug, it’s best just to replace them altogether.

Don’t Put Electrical Cords in High-Traffic Locations

If your cord is stepped on regularly because it is in a doorway or because it is under your carpet, it may cause the cord to fail. Also, the cord may become a tripping hazard. If you have pets, it’s best to keep cords out of sight, as they may chew on them, which could be dangerous for them, you, and your home.

Don’t Plug too Many Things into a Single Outlet

While there are many home electrical safety tips you should follow, this is the one that is most commonly violated. However, if you are like most people, you may wonder – how many, is too many? This depends on the way your home has been wired. Get to know the electrical specifications of your home to stay safe. A good rule of thumb to follow is that you should never plug in more than one high-wattage appliance into your outlets at a time.

Use Tamper-Resistant Outlets

Small children are naturally curious. They want to know how everything around them works. You can’t take the risk that they may stick something in to an outlet or be shocked. The best way to prevent this from happening is by using tamper-resistant outlets.

Call for Help if There Are Warm Outlets or Switches in Your Home

A dimmer switch may warm up because this is how they are designed. So, if this happens, it doesn’t mean there is a serious problem. However, if you have an outlet, cord, or toggle switch that is warm, you need to call an electrician right away.

Don’t take chances with your home’s electrical system. If you notice any of these issues, the best thing you can do is contact Fusion Electric for help.