Attention DIY-ers!

• Risks of DIY Electrical:

  • Electric Shock

    • Turning Off One Breaker to the Lighting in one room may not mean that ALL power to that room was turned off!
    • Working without proper safety equipment or without proper tools may also lead to electric shock!

  • Fire Hazards

    • Improper Wiring, Loose Connections, Overloaded circuits, or Incorrect Gauge of Wire may cause a fire in your home!

  • Code Violations

    • All Homes must be up to the 2017 NEC Electrical Code
    • Proper Permits may need to be pulled for certain electrical projects or upgrades.

  • Voided Homeowners Insurance

    • Most Homeowners & Renters Insurance Policies require electrical work to be completed by a Licensed Professional. If a fire occurs as a result of unlicensed or unpermitted DIY work, the insurance company has the right to deny any insurance claims due to fire. Homeowner or Renter would then be liable for any & all damages caused by the fire.

  • Long-Term or Hidden Damages

    • DIY do-ers or the untrained eye may overlook the underlying causes of electrical repairs. Initially, a repair may be successful, but it could cause long-term damage to systems within the home, leading to more costly repairs down the road. 

  • Damage to Appliances

    • Inadequate or Improper Electrical wiring could damage sensitive appliances & electronics. 
      • Appliance Wiring is also acknowledged in the 2017 NEC & must be wired up to code

 

Here are some easily missed electrical problems that YOU can fix!

Indoor Electrical Fixes

Do you have an animal in your home that likes to chew on your charging cables?
Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices. (See Image Below)

Do you live in a home with small children?
Your electrical outlets should have plastic safety covers.

Do you use extension cords?
Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. This is an easy tripping hazard - even for adults. (See Image Below) Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.

Overloading outlets:
Avoid overloading outlets. (See Image Below) Consider plugging only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time. If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have them checked by one of our certified electricians!

Using electrical equipment near sources of water:
Never touch anything electrical when you have wet hands. Don’t use electrical appliances such as hair dryers or radios in a wet place or near water.

Outdoor Electrical Fixes:

If power is lost during a storm, turn off or unplug electrical appliances so that there’s not a power surge when the electricity comes back on. If there’s flooding, watch out for water around electrical items and never use appliances if they’re wet. Avoid playing with kites or toy planes near overhead power lines. If a toy happens to get caught in a power line, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Avoid pruning trees yourself that are located near power lines.

Here are some examples of unsafe wiring to avoid in your home:

 

 

If you think you may have an issue with any of these safety regulations, contact us today! We would be more than happy to satisfy our customers with the satisfaction of Safety!