HVAC Maintenance and Design Tips for Swimming Pools and Gyms

There are about 47,000 electrical house fires in the United States each year, resulting in devastation for many homeowners. Sadly, many electrical fires are completely preventable, but some homeowners simply don't take the precautions necessary to keep their homes safe from such risks. For homeowners wanting to protect their families and property, there are a few simple steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of electrical fires.

Schedule an Inspection

If you had an inspection done when you bought your home, the inspector should have assessed the state of the electrical system and would have informed you of any necessary updates. However, if it's been a while since you bought your home or if you purchased it without ordering an inspection, then calling in an electrical contractor, such as Blue Ridge Services, for an inspection is a must. Otherwise, your home's electrical system could be completely outdated. Specifically, an inspector will check to ensure that your home has copper wiring (not aluminum, which was used in older homes and has now been found to be a greater fire risk than copper) and that the wiring is of the proper thickness to handle the electrical loads of today's modern appliances and electronics.

Avoid Overburdening Outlets

Another way to protect your home from electrical fire hazards is making an effort to ensure that none of the electrical outlets in your home are overloaded. This means unplugging your electronics when they're not in use and avoiding plugging in multiple high-amp electronics into the same outlet at once. To make this easy, you might consider purchasing a few power strips that have built-in overload protection. This way, in the event that the strip does become overloaded, the strip will automatically shut off.

Check Electronics for Faulty Wiring

Finally, it's always a good idea to inspect your home's electrical appliances every few months to ensure that their cords aren't frayed or otherwise damaged. Otherwise, cords that are tattered or in poor condition are at a greater risk of sparking and causing a fire. Replace any appliances that have damage to the cords; better to be safe than sorry. Don't just cover the cords with electrical tape, either, as this isn't a safe solution.

As you can see, there are many ways to go about avoiding an electrical fire at your home. All it takes is a little bit of effort, time, and foresight to protect yourself and your property.