5 Electrical Safety Tips for New Homeowners

Welcoming the new year by moving into a new house is a great way to start over while leaving all the bad of the past year behind. Now, while you are planning to move, you should make sure to take care of a few things first. An ocular visit is a must to check all the necessary repairs and improvements before finally moving. This includes the plumbing, electrical setup, interior, insulation and more. To ensure that your new house will be in perfect shape before moving in, you must contact your local electrician Northern Beaches professional.

To help you identify which should be most prioritised, here is a list of electrical safety tips for you.

Replace damaged wires or cords

If you are planning to move into a new home, it is highly important to check all wires for possible damage. While the appliances and even light switches are still working fine, it doesn't mean that their wires are still in an optimal state. So it should be part of the first inspection to ensure that you and your family will be moving into a safe space. The repercussion of not being meticulous enough to check your wires and cords could lead to a house fire or even electrocution. You don't have to DIY this because it should be a job for the professional electricians.

Install more outlets

Upon checking out the house that you will be moving into, you should also note if the outlets are enough for your appliances and gadgets. Also if you have young kids, make sure that your outlets are either covered or high enough for them to not reach. While extension cords could also be an option, it can also be a tripping and fire hazard. Although you can use them on some occasions, it is not recommended to be used full-time. It can only be a temporary solution. So, if you figured that you needed more electrical outlets, have it installed by a professional first.

Do not overload your outlets

One of the most common causes of sudden electrical problems is an overloaded outlet. Your appliances that are open all day should have their outlets that are not shared with other appliances. Once in a while, you should also touch its protective plates and feel if they are hot. They have to be cool to the touch. So if they feel otherwise, you should have it checked by a professional electrician.

Unplug all unused appliances

This is one of the simplest electrical safety tips and yet the easiest to be forgotten. So when an appliance is not in use, make sure to unplug it. This is to protect them from overheating or when a power surge happens, which can ultimately damage your appliance. However, these reminders are still usually forgotten and we can't do anything about it. That's why smart plugs are introduced. They are called smart because they let you control your appliances at home using an application on your phone. So if you forgot to turn off your appliance, you can check in your app and turn it off without having to unplug it.

Keep the outlets away from water

We are all aware that water and electricity don't go well together. So having outlets in lower areas of the bathroom, near sinks, beside the plant pots, aquariums, or even outdoor outlets near your garden or pool are not recommended at all because they can be easily in contact with water. Protect your family from personal injury and electrocution by checking these things before moving into a new home. If you noticed an outlet near where water can come from, make sure to have it closed by a professional electrician.