Electrical Safety Tips

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra Provides Tips for Electrical Safety

Electricity is a vital part of modern living. We use it to light our homes, run our electronic devices, wash and dry our clothes, and even brown our toast. Electricity can, however, be dangerous if not treated with proper respect. Here are some safety guidelines everyone should know when it comes to living at peace with electricity.

Always Cut the Power

If you ever have to deal with electrical issues, always cut the power at the breaker box. Before you start work, test to make sure power to the outlet, fixture, and/or switches are shut off.

Water and Electrical Fires

Pouring water onto an electrical fire can cause a significant shock hazard for those trying to put out the flames. Have a fire extinguisher on hand that is rated to handle electrical fires instead.

Use More Than One Outlet

If you have an outlet strip with a number of things plugged into it, this may not be a safe setup. Try to distribute small appliances and electronic devices to several outlets to avoid overwhelming the one.  

Feel Your Outlets

Once in a while, go around and feel the outlets in your home. They should all be cool to the touch. If you find a warm or hot outlet, shut the circuit off at the breaker box and call an electrician immediately. You don’t want to deal with this level of electrical issues

Child-Proof Your Outlets

If you have children in your home, be sure to install outlet covers. Spring-loaded covers that automatically shut when there’s nothing plugged in are the best option. 

Investigate Flickering Lights

A flickering light often means the fixture has loose wires or that the bulb has come loose and there isn’t a consistent flow of electricity. Tighten the bulb. If that doesn’t fix it, call an electrician.

Don’t Use Extension Cords Long-Term

An extension cord should be a short-term solution when you need electricity in a spot where there’s no ready outlet. An extension cord should not be used as a permanent solution for anything. Either move the item closer to an outlet or have an additional outlet placed where you need the item. 

Following these guidelines and others can help you to prevent electrical fires and personal injury. The best rule of thumb is to call an electrician if you’re in doubt about any issues in your home.

If you ever do experience a fire or other damage to your home, you can call on the professionals at SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra to put things back in order.

We are a locally owned and operated small business and have a team of highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding quickly to any size disaster.

We provide 24-hour emergency service to the Jacksonville area and St. Johns County beaches and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs.

For additional information about our company, visit our website or call us at 904-246-6118.