A helpful calendar from the Electrical Safety Foundation. Click to enlarge.
Do you make sure your home’s electrical system is on the list of things to keep your family safe and comfortable all year ’round? Standard safety checkups are quick and affordable, typically including inspection of your home’s electrical panel, switches and outlets, wiring and circuit loads. A routine inspection will also check for proper grounding, appropriate surge protection and working smoke detectors.
Electrical Safety Inspection Checklist 101
First, perform a few safety checks. Additionally, it’s generally a good idea to inspect electrical products every six months. Every time you change the clocks, run through this simple electrical safety inspection checklist:
- Check for wires that are frayed, damaged or cracked.
- Ensure that you’re using the appropriate bulbs in all lamps and lighting fixtures, both indoors and out.
- Keep bulbs covered to protect your family from burns, and be sure that fabric and other materials are kept a safe distance from hot bulbs.
- Take note of any unusual smells coming from appliances, and seek professional assistance if you notice anything strange.
- Test your generator or emergency systems, and show family members how to turn off the electricity in your home in the event of a severe spring or summer storm.
Important Reminders
Remember to inspect your outdoor circuits, furnace and air conditioner wiring. This is especially important as warmer weather approaches. You’ll be spending more time enjoying those outdoor spaces, or keeping cool indoors with the AC cranking. Additionally, landscape lighting that may have gotten damaged during winter months should be replaced.
In summary, if you think something just doesn’t seem quite right in comparison to our electrical safety inspection checklist, it doesn’t hurt to get it checked out by a professional. The fix may be simpler than you think. You may also discover that you can preserve energy and cut costs by implementing an upgrade in your home. Most of all, you gain peace of mind by preventing injury or damage to your home.
