Everyone loves a good fireworks display – but sparks, shocks, and static electricity are not good when they occur in your home. However, some homeowners do experience these things in their home; and while not always a sign of a serious problem, you should never ignore these minor “fireworks” in your own home.

Regular use of electrical appliances may causes small jolts similar to static electricity. These small shocks are not considered electrocution, of course. That term is reserved for a shock which can seriously harm or even kill someone. But these smaller shocks can cause pain, discomfort and in some cases, injury. Here are some warning signs to look out for, and what you can do to keep you and your family safe.

Protect Yourself from Electrical Shocks

The most common cause of sparks and shocks in the home are:

Malfunctioning Appliances: Older appliances may become electrically unstable due to damaged or aging circuitry. Not only can this give you a painful shock, but it can cause further damage to your appliances. If your appliances are causing this type of problem, you might want to look into new appliances to avoid the risk of an electrical fire.

Worn or Frayed Cords: You may also experience unstable electrical currents if your appliances have frayed wiring, or are connected to defective cords. These unpredictable electrical currents can also damage your appliance or give you a shock.

Old Outlets: In the Sarasota area, many homes in popular neighborhoods are 30,40 or even 50 years old. That means if a homeowner has never done an electrical upgrade, or one has not been done recently, the outlets may simply be old. Two-prong outlets are thought by many to be long gone, but still do exist in many older homes. The ground wire which is designed into the newer three pronged outlets provides an additional level of safety in the case of an unstable electrical current but the older outlets do not. (Call today to upgrade your older home’s electrical panel and outlets.)

Bad Box with Damaged Wiring: Electrical currents travel to outlets and switches through an electrical box, which is likewise connected to wiring. The older the box or the wiring, the more likely that you can receive a shock by touching them.

Keep Away from Water

It is basic common sense to keep small electrical appliances away from water. However, sometimes the two elements do manage to come within close proximity, so keep these safety tips in mind.

  • Keep small kitchen appliances away from the sink and food prep area where there may be water.
  • Dry your hands thoroughly before touching a switch, or plugging anything into an electrical outlet.
  • Furnish all unused outlets with covers, especially with small children in the home.
  • Be sure to never touch a live wire, or any hot circuit p water or not!

If you see sparks, have experienced shocks, or are noticing frayed wiring, it’s time to call in professional help. Electricity is nothing to fool around with. The master electricians at Promise Electric will come to your home, perform an electrical inspection, make recommendations and help to upgrade your outlets, switches, boxes, panels and wiring. It’s not worth the risk of shocks or worse. Call today.