Electrical Winter Safety for Your Home – Part 2
As discussed in Part 1, winter has more home fires than any other season in the U.S. The number two cause is heating equipment, and more than 65,000 home fires can be attributed to this hazard every year. These fires are responsible for thousands of injuries, several hundred fatalities, and millions of dollars in property damage. Part 2 will discuss GFCIs and Kitchen Appliances.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
A GFCI is a special outlet found in areas where electrical products may come into contact with water, like the bathroom, kitchen, or outdoors. It is capable of switching off the electricity in a circuit in the event there is a fault within as little as 1/30th of a second.
You can plug in a night light and test it the outlet by pressing the “TEST” button, which should turn it off. Pressing the “RESET” button should turn it on. If it doesn’t work, ask a licensed electrician to check it for repair or replacement.
If you are the owner of an older home, seriously consider installing GFCIs if you do not have them in those areas where water is present.
Kitchen Appliances
There is nothing like coming home to a hot meal for dinner during the winter. Unfortunately, as mentioned before, more than half of all home fires during the winter start in the kitchen. An unattended and hot electrical appliance is a serious fire hazard, so make sure to watch what you are cooking for safety. In addition, inspect your kitchen appliances’ power cords and plugs for fraying or damage and replace them if necessary. Finally, turn off all cooking appliances after use to prevent fire hazards and to save money on your utility bills.
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.