05/06/2020
SAFETY FIRST
8 SIGH YOU MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR ELECTRICAL WIRING
Only you can prevent -HOUSE FIRE- or at least greatly lower the risk by keeping an eye on the warning signs of trouble
Electrical malfunctions cause more than 50,000 house fires each year, according to Electrical Safety Foundation International. To protect your own home, start by checking your fuse box or breaker panel for the date of your last inspection. Most municipalities require an inspection only when a system is modified during a renovation or an addition. However, CPSC recommends having a pro look on somethings every 10 years. Beyond that, be aware of these potential sources and causes of electrical fires.
1. FUNNY ODORS.
A new appliance may produce an off-odor the first few times it’s powered up. But if you detect an odd smell coming from an outlet, turn off and unplug anything connected to it. Don’t use it again until you’ve had a qualified electrician check it out. If your fuse box or breaker panel has a weird odor, call an electrician right away.
2. SPARKING.
This is never a good sign. How you deal with it depends on where it’s coming from. If a breaker panel, fuse box or outlet is sparking, get an electrician. But a sparking appliance may mean that the fixture itself is damaged, in which case you should call an appliance repairperson. He can test the appliance and usually the outlet that powers it as well.
3. HOT OUTLET OR SWITCH PLATE
“Even when an appliance is meant to produce heat (like a toaster or space heater), the outlet that powers it should never become hot, Electric current might make a switch plate slightly warm to the touch, but if the outlet is uncomfortably hot, turn off whatever is plugged in and try it in another outlet. If the outlet grows hot even without anything plugged in, it may be wired incorrectly. Consult an electrician, who may advise you to flip the breaker or remove the fuse for that outlet until your system can be serviced.
To be cont'n..