Home Electrical Safety Checklist

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For John Denver, home was down a country road, and for most of us, home is where the heart is. One of the reasons that’s the case is because home is where we feel safe, and there are many practical measures that homeowners should have in place to maintain house safety.

One way or another, electrical currents run through just about every home in the country, so wiring safety to prevent electrical hazards is a must. That’s also true for a common threat associated with these hazards, which is fire prevention at home.

Electrical Safety

Home electrical safety starts in the walls with the wiring diagram. It should be noted that while there are some things you can do for electrical safety in your home, do not try to handle hot wires if you are not a licensed electrician.

But homeowners can take a shot at the wiring diagram, and there are varying levels of information to record. The first step is to draw, obtain, or procure software that enables you to sketch your home’s layout.

Once this has been accomplished, you can go around your house with your diagram and begin to mark where all of the electrical outlets and light switches are. If you’re really advanced, you can also take note of which kind of outlet it is, such as a 1P, 2P, 1DP, or 2DP.

From there, the next step is to draw the path of the electrical wiring. This can be difficult to discern without advanced knowledge, but one thing to keep in mind is that all the wires in the room lead back to the circuit breaker box.

The purpose of making this diagram is not just for electrical safety, but it will also help any electrician that may come to your home to look at your wiring. Wiring safety is something that should not be taken lightly, as there are many catastrophic risks associated with electricity.

Electrical Hazards

Well, there’s just no other way to say it: The electric shock hazard is the biggest risk when dealing with electricity. Electric shock can affect the body in varying degrees depending on voltage, but while the worst case scenario is death, a better scenario will still result in pain and discomfort.

Some homeowners live in older houses where previous occupants may not have paid as much attention to exposed wires as they should have. Always assume that any exposed wire is live, as touching it is not a viable test option.

There are other, less obvious electrical hazards that homeowners should keep an eye on as well.

Electric extension cords are the source of many electrical hazards, but a few simple steps can keep them out of harm’s way. Don’t trap them under rugs, as heat needs to escape. Don’t have them run under doors or windows either, as they can become pinched. Only use three-prong extension cords, and pay attention to make sure they can handle the electrical requirements of whatever they’re plugged into.

Lights are another electrical hazard. Make sure to find the indicator (green tags for outdoor and red for indoor) to determine if a lighting is appropriate for its location. Also be sure that all light bulbs and fixtures are firmly attached to the wall or ceiling.

Another electrical hazard is the risk facing children. A childproofing checklist is a great idea for any home, and every one of those lists will include outlet plug covers. Tamper-resistant electrical outlets are also a great substitute, as they only work if equal pressure is applied to all three prongs.

Home Safety Checklist

When talking about home electrical safety, there are so many components involved that it’s a good idea to have a home safety checklist.

Home safety checklists will cover everything from clutter, to general house safety. The first thing that every homeowner must check on their list is to have emergency numbers handy. But since they’re plugged into our smart phones that are always on our person, then it’s important to point out how important it is to have your home address number visible from the street. After all, it would be a big problem if you called for help and emergency responders couldn’t find your home.

Other tips have to do with never using a gas powered anything in a room with no ventilation, and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year (a good rule of thumb is to do it every time daylight savings occurs). While the checklist does include a number of tips that will help with electrical hazards, much of what the checklist covers is safety against the biggest threat to homes – fire.

While a retractable gate and a safe room for a house will help defend your family against a zombie apocalypse, it’s the steps you take in your house that will help prevent a fire from occurring.

Fire Safety Plan for Home

There probably isn’t a greater threat to homes than fire, and having a fire inspection checklist for your home can prevent disasters before they happen. Home fire safety is all encompassing, as you’ll read about recommendations from not keeping wires under rugs, to making sure you have the right light bulbs in sockets that can support their wattage.

Always make sure to keep things like drapes and rugs away from flammable substances and igniters, and be sure to store any lighters or matches in a secure box or cabinet. Also make sure to have all table and floor lamps on level surfaces to prevent them from getting knocked over and igniting something flammable.

Fire prevention at home should be a big component of your home fire safety plan, but it should also include how to fight a fire should one break out.

Be sure to have fire extinguishers on all levels of your home, and have one specially designated for the kitchen. Also keep baking soda in your refrigerator, as it works wonders in fighting a grease fire.

For upper-level rooms and bedrooms, you should have an accessible ladder, or even a rope to offer a chance at escape should you become cut off from the bottom floors. Other than that, it’s really up to the individual homeowner, as it’s important to have an established evacuation plan.

Conclusions

Home electrical and fire safety take many steps to achieve, but it’s all in the interest of keeping you, your family, and your friends safe. Prevention is the key, and making a few changes around the house might go a long way. Fortune favors the prepared, and with these steps, fortune is now on your side.