The most important home electrical safety tips are simple: don’t overload outlets, replace damaged cords, keep electricity away from water, test your safety devices, and call a licensed electrician when something seems off. Most home electrical fires start with small, everyday habits, so a few safe practices go a long way.
It also helps to know where your homeowners insurance fits in. A standard policy usually covers a sudden electrical fire, but it won’t pay to replace outdated electrical systems need to be updated.
At April Jones Insurance, we compare multiple carriers to find the right fit for you and your home. Get in touch for a free quote or a policy review.
Why Home Electrical Safety Matters
Home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year. They also cause nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage.
Electrical distribution systems are the third leading cause of home structure fires. The good news is that most common electrical hazards are easy to spot.
Electrical Safety Tips for Outlets, Cords, and Power Strips
1. Don’t Overload Your Outlets
Plug only one heat producing appliance, like a toaster or coffee maker, into a wall receptacle outlet at a time. If an electrical outlet feels warm or the cover looks discolored, stop using it and have it checked.
2. Treat Extension Cords as Temporary
Extension cords are meant for short-term use, not as permanent wiring. If you rely on them every day, ask a qualified electrician about installing additional outlets.
3. Replace Damaged Electrical Cords
Frayed or cracked electrical cords are fire hazards and can cause electric shock. Don’t run cords under rugs or across walkways, where they overheat, wear down, and become a tripping hazard.
4. Plug Major Appliances Directly Into the Wall
Refrigerators, dryers, washers, and other major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. A power strip or multi outlet converters only add places to plug in, not more power.
Electrical Safety Tips for Appliances and Devices
5. Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for any new electrical equipment, and use the bulb wattage listed on your light fixtures. Give electronics and appliances room for air circulation to avoid overheating, and keep exhaust fans clean so they don’t collect dust and lint.
6. Unplug Appliances You Aren’t Using
It’s a smart habit to unplug appliances like toasters, hair dryers, and curling irons when you’re done with them. It lowers fire risk and protects electrical devices from power surges.
Charge phones and other battery-powered devices on a hard surface, never on a bed or couch. Stop using any charger or device that feels hot.
7. Keep Electricity Away From Water
Water and electricity don’t mix, so keep cords and devices away from sinks, tubs, and wet floors. Dry your hands before you touch a plug, and never reach for a device that’s fallen into water until you cut power at the breaker.
8. Give Space Heaters Plenty of Room
Space heaters need at least three feet of clearance from curtains, bedding, and furniture. Plug them straight into the wall and turn them off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Electrical Safety Rules for Wiring and Your Electrical Panel
9. Know the Warning Signs of Damaged Wiring
Flickering lights, buzzing outlets, a burning smell, and circuit breakers that trip often can all point to damaged wiring or loose connections. Have them checked right away.
10. Test Your GFCI and AFCI Protection
Ground fault circuit interrupters shut off power when they sense a ground fault, which helps prevent electrical shock. You’ll find these special outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and outdoor outlets, and you should test GFCI outlets monthly to make sure they’re functioning properly.
Arc fault circuit interrupters do a different job by detecting arc faults, the dangerous sparking that happens inside worn electrical wiring. ESFI reports that arcing faults start more than 28,000 home fires each year, so ask an electrician whether your panel has arc fault circuit protection.
11. Leave Electrical Work to a Licensed Electrician
Electrical work isn’t a good do-it-yourself project. A licensed electrician knows the code and can spot other hazards you might miss.
12. Stay Safe Outdoors and During Storms
Look up for power lines before using a ladder or trimming trees, and keep waterproof covers on outside outlets. After severe weather, stay far away from downed lines and call your utility.
Here in coastal North Carolina, storms and flooding add extra risk. If water reached your outlets or panel, have an electrician inspect everything before you turn the power back on.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Electrical Fires?
Yes, a standard homeowners policy generally covers fire damage, including a fire that starts in your wiring or an appliance. That usually includes repairs to your home, your belongings, and extra living expenses if you can’t stay there during repairs, minus your deductible.
What a Homeowners Policy Usually Doesn’t Cover
Insurance is designed for sudden, accidental losses, not maintenance. It won’t pay to rewire an older home, replace a worn-out panel, or fix problems caused by wear and tear or neglect.
Appliances that simply stop working aren’t covered either, and coverage for surge damage varies by policy. Optional equipment breakdown coverage can help with systems like your HVAC.
How Outdated Wiring Can Affect Your Coverage
Knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, fuse boxes, and certain older panels carry a higher risk of electrical incidents. Most carriers decline to insure a home until the wiring is updated.
If you do update your wiring, tell your agent, because it may open up more options or better pricing. It’s also worth asking about ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring older systems up to code after a covered loss.
Let’s Make Sure Your Home Is Protected
When you follow electrical safety rules at home, you prevent electrical fires and shocks before they start. The right policy is there for the surprises you can’t prevent.
We’re happy to review your coverage, talk through an older home’s wiring, and compare your options. Contact April Jones Insurance for a free quote or policy review.
Homeowners Also Ask These Questions About Home Electrical Safety
What are 10 electrical safety tips I can do at home?
Don’t overload outlets, replace damaged cords, limit extension cord use, plug large appliances into the wall, and unplug small appliances when you’re done. Keep devices away from water, give space heaters room, test your GFCIs, watch for warning signs, and hire a professional for repairs.
Why do electricians keep one hand in their pocket?
It’s an old safety habit that keeps current from traveling across the chest and through the heart if they touch something live.
When is National Electrical Safety Month?
National Electrical Safety Month is in May, and ESFI leads the campaign each year. Any month is a good safety month to walk through your home, test your devices, and review your homeowners coverage.