5 Common Electrical Hazards to Watch Out For

Approximately 385,000 house fires start every year. While this might not be a staggering number, it’s not exactly a small one, either. As such, you need to be mindful of potential electrical hazards in electrical systems. 

What kind of electrical hazards should you look out for? We’re going to discuss 5 of the most common below. Let’s go!

1. Overloaded Electrical Outlets

Topping our list is overloaded electrical outlets. These are outlets that contain power strips which themselves contain a bevy of additional outlets.

If all of these outlets are being used and then some, the circuit could become overloaded, leading to a fire. 

2. Ungrounded Outlets

If you purchase an old home, or if you’ve owned your home for years, you might very well have ungrounded outlets within it. These are outlets with only two prongs as opposed to three.

These are potential problems, as the absence of a third prong means that they can’t handle an electrical overload. Therefore, if they do become overloaded with electricity, they might very well start electrical fires. 

3. Worn Wiring

Another electrical hazard to be wary of is worn wiring. This is electrical wiring with insulation that has been torn away over years of use. Once it loses its insulation, the wiring has the potential to spark; even a single spark could result in a house fire. 

This is why you should have your home inspected by a professional electrician every 5 years or so. They’ll ensure that your wiring is still in good shape, thus ensuring that it can’t lead to any dangerous electrical accidents. 

4. Chain Extension Cords

Using extension cords is a viable option. Chaining two or more extension cords together, however, has the potential to start a house fire. This is because, when you do this, the extension cords tend to overheat, and thus have the potential to catch things on fire. 

You should also be cognizant of extension cords with worn insulation, not to mention running too much electricity into a given extension cord. To educate yourself on what is and isn’t appropriate with electrical usage, consider taking this electrical safety online training course. 

5. Overloaded Electrical Circuits

It’s not just overloaded electrical outlets that you need to look out for but overloaded electrical circuits as well. This is any circuit that trips when you turn on that one extra appliance, say, turning on your microwave and your toaster at the same time. 

The tripping breaker is a good thing. However, it indicates that the circuit is, indeed, overloaded. Therefore, it should be assessed and repaired by a seasoned electrician. 

Electrical Hazards Need to Be Taken Seriously

Electrical hazards are not something that should be scoffed at or overlooked. You need to take them seriously and do everything in your power to eliminate them. Failure to ensure electrical safety could result not only in the destruction of your home but in serious injury or death for you or one of your family members.  

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