Safety · 4 min read
Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners
Simple habits that prevent electrical fires and shock: test GFCIs monthly, avoid daisy-chained power strips, and never ignore warm outlets.
The most effective home electrical safety steps are testing GFCI outlets monthly, replacing damaged cords, avoiding daisy-chained power strips, keeping the panel accessible, and calling an electrician for any warm outlet, burning smell or repeated breaker trip.
Monthly and annual checks
- Press the TEST button on every GFCI outlet monthly
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly
- Replace detector batteries yearly and units every 10 years
- Inspect cords and plugs for cracking or heat damage
- Keep three feet of clearance in front of the electrical panel
Never ignore these
Warm or discolored outlets, a burning smell, buzzing switches and shocks when touching appliances all indicate a fault that needs immediate professional attention.