Make Your Home Safer Electrically This Fall – Part 2

As discussed in Part 1, fall is a good time to schedule an electrical safety inspection to help ensure the safety of your home before the holiday season rolls around, when the risk of electrical fire is greatest. They will perform necessary repairs and bring your electrical system up to code. Part 2 will discuss four more tips for electrical safety for the indoors and outdoors this fall.

Lighting Wattage

Rated for specific wattage, a light fixture that exceeds it can result in a wiring overload, and an electrical fire in your home. A fixture’s rating is based on the maximum heat that the bulb produces which the fixture can handle before suffering damage through wires overheating. Lighting fixtures used beneath the requirement may also stress the electrical system of a home. 

Outdoor Power Tools

Homeowners who use outdoor power tools during the fall should exercise more caution. As there are leaves lying on the ground, damaged or frayed electrical cords laid on the yard may start a fire.

Outlets & Switches

If you have an outlet or switch in your home that is hot when touched, an electrician should be contacted immediately. Circuits or fuses blowing frequently require the same attention from a professional right away.

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Maryland’s Smoke Alarm Law became effective on New Year’s Day 2018, and so you should have your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors upgraded if necessary to comply with state regulations. The law calls for the replacement of 9-volt battery-only powered smoke alarms with smoke alarms that are sealed and powered by 10 year service life batteries with a silence or hush feature. Doing this before the more hazardous holiday season will give you peace of mind.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:

• Standby Generator Installation
• Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
• Structured Cabling
• Circuit Breaker Replacement

Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.