From making your morning coffee to charging your phone while you sleep, the outlets throughout your home see plenty of daily use. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re using them safely and properly. To avoid overloading your system and placing a panicked call to your electrical contractor, take these do’s and don’ts to heart.

Do:

Cover unused outlets.

If you’re not using an outlet regularly, it should be sealed with a plastic cover. While these are commonly used for childproofing purposes, they’re also crucial for keeping dust out of the input points. If there is heat emanating from the outlet, the lint will increase the risk of a house fire.

Remove extension cords when not in use.

These electrical tools should only be used on occasion, when absolutely necessary. Since they pull power farther than it was designed to travel, the wires can easily overheat due to using more energy to transfer electricity to the appliance in use. Once you’re done using an extension cord, remove it and coil it up to prevent damage to the cable jacket.

Don’t:

Overuse power strips.

While a single power strip is understandable in our tech-focused lives, you should refrain from using more than one per outlet. If you don’t have enough outlets, you can talk to your electrician about installing more. Pulling too much power from a single outlet could result in sudden outages, or overheating and subsequent fires.

Use non-GFCI outlets near plumbing fixtures.

These days, construction companies are required to install ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets within six feet of sinks, tubs, and other sources of water. GFCI outlets keep the electrical current grounded and prevent electricity from shocking anything around or outside of them. If you don’t have these outlets in the kitchen and bathroom, you need to have yours replaced. They’re designed to stop working if the electrical current is leaking, which is crucial to preventing electrocution around water and moisture.

If you have further questions about electrical safety, reach out to Jeff Bonham Electric. This electrical contractor serves residential and commercial clients throughout the Dayton, OH, area, offering everything from wiring upgrades to standby generators. With over 60 years of experience to draw from, you can trust their technicians to provide insightful advice and top-quality work. Learn more about this trusted electrical contractor by visiting the website, or call (937) 233-7662 to make an appointment.