New homeowners repeat after us: “Home electric safety is non-negotiable.” Your home’s electrical system isn’t something you should overlook or mess around with.

We don’t intend to scare you. But hear us out. Electrical fires top the list of the most common household fires. The worse fact about these fire accidents is that it all starts with a small spark. One small spark from faulty wiring or an overloaded outlet balloons into a big problem. This puts your home and everyone dwelling in that at risk.

Fire accidents give us the stark reminder of how vulnerable our surroundings are.

Don’t fret. A little caution now can save you from big headaches (and risks) later. If you are a new homeowner in Barbados, the golden rule is to be cautious about electric safety.

Barbados has a tropical climate, which means it remains warm all year round. It’s important to consider specific factors that are unique to the region too.

With that in mind, we have put together a beginner’s guide for your home electric safety. You will find a detailed view about basic electric safety so that you can protect your home. Now start reading the guide!

10 practical home electric tips to improve the safety of your home

Electricity powers almost everything in your homes. But if it isn’t handled properly, it can cause serious risks. If you are a new homeowner, you should be aware of some potential tips that can improve the electrical safety of your home.

1.    Routine inspections are a must

High humidity, frequent rains and salty air can cause the electrical components to wear and tear. For instance, the salty sea air can corrode metal parts in outlets and wiring connections. On the other hand, faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires.

This is why routine inspections are highly recommended. Check for rusty or discolored outlets, switches, exposed or damaged wiring, and loose connections in any part of the house. A humming or buzzing sound that you could hear near electrical components could signal loose connections.

If the outlets and switches are warm to the touch, it could indicate overheating. If you spot any problems, call your local electrician to get things fixed. It’s best that you schedule annual professional inspections to catch potential issues early.

A quick convenience tip for outlets

Ensuring safety is important. At the same time, check if the electrical outlets placed in the home are in convenient locations. Count the number of outlets and analyze if they are enough to support your electrical needs. If not, get more outlets installed by your local residential electrician.

2.    Overloading an outlet is a big NO

When you plug in more devices than the outlet or circuit can handle, you are taking a risk.

Because the flow of electricity generally generates some heat, and the more electricity that flows, the greater this heat becomes, it can cause a fire. An outlet and electrical circuit have a limit on how much power they can supply.

On average, the electrical outlets can only handle about 15 amps, which translates to 1800 watts of power. So, appliances like hair dryers, space heaters and toasters can take up most of that 1800. If you plug in too many of these appliances at once, the outlet might overheat.

When you exceed that limit, the outlet can overheat and can end up in electrical fires and sparks, ultimately damaging your devices. If you are constantly relying on extension cords or power strips, hire your local electrician to add new outlets.

3.    To cut down potential risks, unplug your unused appliances

If there is one simple yet effective way to improve your home electrical safety, it is unplugging your unused appliances.

Because some appliances, even when they are turned off, still draw power, called standby power and chances are there for overheating. So, unplugging reduces this risk.

Barbados is prone to storms that can disrupt power and it’s best to unplug the devices during that time. Otherwise, with sudden power restorations after outages, electrical surges can damage the plugged-in devices.

Plus, you can save your pocket on electrical bills by unplugging unused devices. So, make it a habit to unplug appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, heaters, and chargers when they aren’t put to use.

4.    Ensure the electrical cords are installed neatly

The tangled or loose cords not only give a messy look but also become a tripping hazard for anyone.

It’s because cords that are bent, twisted, or damaged due to poor installation pave a way to overheating or short circuit issues. This leads to an electrical fire too.

Plus, when the cords aren’t arranged properly, they are likely to get pinched or damaged by furniture or foot traffic.

When you keep the cords organized and labeled, it remains neat and is handy during troubleshooting or when rearranging devices. Use cord organizers, clips or cable ties that can make your space look uncluttered.

Quick tip: Avoid running cords under rugs or carpets, as this act can cause overheating.

5.    Keep your home’s exhaust fans clean

Cleaning your exhaust fans shouldn’t be overlooked. This isn’t just for keeping the air clean but also avoiding fire hazards. With time, the fans in your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room can collect grease, dust or lint and get clogged.

You may question how this clog can be hazardous.

Bathroom fans get packed with dust and the grease gets collected on the kitchen fans too. This build-up of dust and dirt makes the appliance work harder, which can wear it out faster and even lead to overheating. Worse, it can cause dangerous gas buildup or increase the risk of an electrical fire.

So, giving them a quick clean every now and then makes sure they work properly and don’t cause any problems. To clean these fans, turn off the fan, wipe it down or vacuum it to clear out any gunk.

Lastly, Barbados is usually humid, so keeping fans clean helps with air circulation and stops dampness from becoming an issue.

6.    Air circulation is important for your appliances

Since the appliances can overheat when they run continuously, it’s a must to give them proper space for air circulation. Most appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves and even entertainment systems, generate heat while in use.

If they are placed in a congested place or in a place without adequate airflow around them, heat gets trapped. This in turn forces the appliance to work harder and increases the risk of malfunctions.

As you live in a country where temperatures and humidity are already high, poor ventilation can become the root cause for overheating. It can also cut down the lifespan of your appliances and in the worst case, it can increase energy consumption and hurt the energy bills too.

So, you may think what’s there in a small place. But know that it can cause so many issues. Position your appliances in well-ventilated areas and avoid crowding them against walls or other items.

7.    Check if your home has Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) and circuit breakers

If not, get it installed. The GFCIs are a must in areas with high moisture like bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor spaces. A GFCI smells if there is an imbalance between the hot and neutral wires. So, when a ground fault is detected, the GFCI immediately shuts off the power to prevent shock.

By detecting ground faults, they protect you against electric shock.

Meanwhile, circuit breakers are devices that are found in your electrical panel that protect your home from overloads and short circuits.

They monitor the flow of electricity and automatically “break” the circuit when the current is too high. This also prevents overheating that could lead to electrical fires.

As a new homeowner, check if the circuit breakers are installed in every room.

8.    Keep electrical devices and outlets dry to prevent shock

Water is a great conductor of electricity. When it comes in contact with the electrical outlets, appliances, and power cords of any sort, it can create a dangerous environment. This underscores the superior importance of keeping electrical devices and outlets away from water to avoid the risk of getting shocked.

So, when your hands are wet, never plug in a device. If you happen to spill water near an outlet or device, first unplug everything safely and dry the water. Always remember to keep water at bay from electrical appliances or outlets to prevent unwanted shocks.

Some quick tips to save on energy bills are:

• Consider installing solar panels or solar water heaters that can reduce your energy bills.
• Choose LED bulbs as they can handle the tropical heat and use way less energy. It is recommended to unplug devices when not in use to protect them and save standby energy.
• Make it a practice to clean air filters in ACs and fans regularly to ensure they run efficiently.

Wrapping up

As a new homeowner, it’s your utmost responsibility to familiarize yourself with how your home’s electrical system works. You should know how to locate the circuit breaker panel and understand which circuits control what areas in your home. This helps you handle emergency situations where you need to turn off the power.

So, while moving in, hire a licensed electrician to inspect the system to make sure everything’s in good working order. And if you find some issues like those that we have outlined in this article, call your residential electrician immediately.

If you are dwelling in Barbados and moving into a new home, hire a professional electrician from CS Cable Solution. Feel free to call us or drop a message here to hire our services.