Electricity is one of the most indispensable modern conveniences – but it’s also among the most dangerous. Electricity is one of the most common causes of home fires, with tens of thousands of electrical fires happening every year across North America. It’s vital to be aware of the electrical problems which can lead to fires, so you can call in great Denver electricians before that happens (like from our team at Hometown Electrical Services)!
So, we wanted to highlight some of the most common causes of electrical fires. If you have any of these things in your home, you’re at risk.
Damaged Wall Sockets
The single most common cause of electrical fires is wall sockets which have become damaged, such as wires becoming stripped inside the wall. The danger becomes greater if faulty sockets are combined with older appliances that may not have the best insulation or surge protection.
If you ever smell smoke or ozone near a wall socket, stop using it immediately and call an electrical services provider in Denver to fix it. Also, your wall sockets should never be more than slightly warm. If they ever feel hot to the touch, that’s another sign they’re damaged.
Overloaded Power Strips
As people add more and more electronic gadgets to their lives, it can easily go past the number of sockets they have available. This can, unfortunately, lead to people overloading power strips so that they pull far more current than a single socket is rated for – which can damage the socket, or even lead to brownouts or tripped breakers.
Do whatever you can to avoid putting too much strain on your wall sockets. In particular, never daisy-chain power strips. If you’re at that point, you probably need Denver electricians to add more sockets to your home.
Damaged Cords
It’s easy to forget about the tangle of wires behind major setups like your television, or around your computer – but you should check the wires for damage from time to time. There are plenty of ways they can be damaged, from children messing around, to unwanted critters chewing on the cables.
If you ever see a cord or wire which is missing its insulation, or you can see copper, it is NOT safe to use. Call an electrical repair service to swap out the cord; it’s usually a quick and easy job.
Portable Heaters
Space heaters present a double threat. First, they draw a lot of power, so any electrical problems can easily lead to shorts or sparking. The other problem is that it’s easy for them to ignite nearby objects with their heat. Regularly check your space heaters for any sign of damage and be careful to always keep them away from other flammable objects.
Hometown Electrical Services
Should you see any warning signs of electrical dangers in your home, you need reliable Denver electricians to take care of the problem. That’s when people call Hometown Electrical Services! For over 30 years, we’ve provided Denver with top-quality electrical repairs.Contact us today to schedule an appointment