Assurance Electrical Services asks: Does your Prescott home show signs of hazardous electrical outlets?

Electrical fires are a threat to life and property. Assurance Electrical Services asks that you check to see if your Prescott home shows signs of hazardous electrical outlets.

The sad fact is, home electrical fires account for 51,000 fires per year and more than 500 deaths according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. About 5,300 of those fires are caused by electrical receptacles. The good news is, most of these fires could be easily prevented by recognizing the warning signs of a faulty outlet in your home and getting routine maintenance.

Here are some warning signs of potential outlet hazards:

• An outlet or power strip is overloaded. Outlets may have multiple plug options, but that does not mean they are capable of handling huge loads of power. Power strips can add to the number of items a single outlet can handle, but the amount of power may exceed their capacity. Do not plug multiple high-voltage items into a single outlet or power strip. You will likely overload the circuit.
• An outlet is next to the shower or bathtub. An outlet should always be a safe distance from a water source. There should be a minimum of 3 feet between outlets and your bathtub and shower. GFCI receptacles improve the situation, but it is always best to contact a qualified electrician and have the outlet moved. The cost of removal of an outlet and installation of a safer alternative is much less than the cost that will result from a house fire.
• Unprotected outlets. For some reason, young children are fascinated by electrical outlets. Playing with an outlet can cause a child to be shocked or burned, and if a child inserts a metal object into that outlet, the result could be severe electrical shock or a fire. Child safety wall plates are the best solution. If you do not want to replace the outlets in your home, at the very least install plastic outlet covers.

Assurance Electrical Services wants you to be sure your Prescott home does not show signs of hazardous electrical outlets. If you need help reviewing your home’s electrical system, or for any other electrical needs, call Assurance Electrical Services at 928-713-2177. Learn more at http://www.myprescottelectrician.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Residential Electrical in Prescott
Prescott Commercial Electrician
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