North Texans know that even with our yo-yo temperature fluctuations from one day to the next—or all in the same day—January and February will thrust an Artic Blast or two our way. Those barreling winds and icy temps always hit our sunny state hard. We know it’s coming, so it’s wise to prepare ahead of the frigid storms in order to avoid electrical emergencies this winter. Beyond the infamous Texas power grid, there are a number of basics you can check around your own home to ensure you don’t get caught with your power down.
Every year in the United States, approximately 50,000 residential electrical fires cause over one billion dollars in property damages, and worse—injury or even death. Keep your home safe this season from shocks, fires, and other electrical hazards with a handful of homeowner maintenance tips.
Follow this room-by-room electrical safety checklist as your guide to identify existing or potential electrical hazards in your home. Depending on what you discover, it might be a good idea to schedule an inspection by a licensed technician to address any concerns. Home electrical safety is particularly important now as North Texans weather the coldest months of the year.
General Home Safety
Electrical hazards in homes, such as fires and power outages are widely preventable with proper safety measures like GFCIs, updating faulty wiring, replacing worn cables and cords, checking smoke detectors, and avoiding overloaded circuits. The home electrical safety tips will give you a jump start on identifying and correcting any hazards you find.
Are you ready to get started on the electrical safety checklist for your home? Before we go room by room, let’s begin with some general residential safety tips.
- Double-check that smoke detectors are installed on every level and outside of sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms monthly and change batteries annually.
- Make sure the space in front of your electrical panel is clear in case you must access it in the dark during a power outage.
- Verify that your breakers are clearly labeled.
- Check for rust, moisture, or heat discoloration around the electrical panel.
- If circuit breakers are tripping frequently, have them inspected.
- Make certain there are no blown fuses or hot switches.
If you find issue with any of these items, remedy them right away. Never hesitate to reach out to a licensed professional to help you identify problems. Once discovered, trust a trained and certified electrician to help resolve them.
All Rooms
Now it’s time for the room-by-room tour. Get your pen and checklist in hand, and let’s begin!
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends checking the following in every room of your home.
- Test outlets and switches to ensure they all work properly.
- Replace any cracked or broken wall plates.
- Check that there are no loose or warm outlets.
- Do not overload power strips.
- Ensure all cords are intact (no frays, cracks, pinches, or staples).
- Do not use extension cords for permanent power. They are for temporary use only.
Kitchen
Next stop, your kitchen. Kitchens are full of electrical outlets, large appliances, and small ones, and many of them produce heat. On top of that, there’s water. So, it’s particularly important to have an awareness of electrical safety in this busy room of the home and frequently check for electrical hazards here.
- Ensure all outlets near sinks and counters are GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter).
- Test your GFCI outlets monthly by pressing Test/Reset.
- Always unplug appliances when they are not in use.
- Never drape cords over the edge of counters or near water.
Bathrooms
Another busy room in every home is the bathroom. Like the kitchen, the presence of water and electricity creates a higher risk of electrical hazards in homes. So be sure to check the following in each bathroom in your home.
- Every bathroom outlet should be GFCI protected and tested monthly.
- Hair dryers and hot tools, electric razors and toothbrushes should remain unplugged after use.
- If you have young children, make sure your outlets have safety caps.
Bedrooms & Living Areas
Use this electrical safety checklist in every bedroom, living room, den, sitting room, alcove, and office in your home.
- It’s worth repeating, smoke detectors are a must outside of sleeping areas and on each level of the home.
- Your lights and ceiling fixtures should only have bulbs installed at or below the maximum wattage on the fixture label.
- Do not run cords under rugs or heavy furniture where they may become pinched or overheated.
Garage & Workshop
Garages and workshops often contain large appliances like an extra refrigerator, deep freeze, EV chargers, and smaller appliances like power tools and chargers. The following list will help you identify electrical hazards in your garage and/or workshop.
- All outlets should be GFCI protected (especially in garages).
- Tools and appliances should be unplugged when not in use.
- No storage items should rest against any electrical wiring.
- Have dedicated circuits for heavy loads (think: freezers, saws, EV chargers).
Outdoor & Seasonal
Many families enjoy pools and outdoor activities much of the year, but these areas can be forgotten over winter time. So, whether you have a pool or simply outdoor outlets and switches near your front porch and back patio area, check the following:
- Outdoor outlets should have weatherproof covers and GFCI protection.
- Exposed wires near landscaping or water features are very dangerous.
- Pool, hot tub, and spa outlets must be properly protected and compliant with safety spacing.
- Landscape lighting and irrigation electrical components should all be properly installed and grounded.
There! Just like that, you have completed your room-by-room electrical safety checklist. Do not procrastinate in remedying any areas of concern, whether that means stopping by the hardware store to grabs some supplies for a few small DIY projects or calling in a professional technician. Make it a priority.
Electrical Hazards That Indicate You Need Help Right Away
Some hazards just can’t wait. Here is a list of warnings signs for those particularly urgent electrical concerns that demand immediate attention. There are a handful of safety issues that you may feel confident to install yourself, like new switch plates, proper light bulbs, or child safety caps. However, if you come upon any job—big or small—that you do not feel comfortable resolving yourself, contact a licensed professional right away. The following are a few examples that can’t be postponed:
- Frequent breaker trips
- Burning smell near outlets or electrical panel
- Sparks when plugging in devices
- Warm outlets or switches
- Flickering or dimming lights when appliances turn on
Consider a Backup Plan
Now that you have taken a room-by-room tour of your home to spot any potential electrical hazards of your own, let’s consider power outages in general. Nearly every year, brutal north winds challenge the strength of North Texas powerlines and trees. Millions seek to warm their homes during North Texas ice storms when we all lock down at home. And who can forget that infamous Texas power grid?
All of this combined has motivated more and more North Texans to look to the assurance of a backup generator in the event of a power outage. As a Kohler Authorized Partner, Star Mechanical is happy to recommend turnkey generator solutions. And bonus—Star Mechanical’s expert technicians will ensure proper installation and performance.
Call us at 940-549-7686 to speak with our professionals about backup generator options or to schedule an electrical technician to inspect your home or resolve issues you discovered during your room-by-room homeowner safety evaluation. We are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm, and for after-hour emergencies until 8pm.
Why Choose Star Mechanical?
You can rely on Star Mechanical to provide safe and efficient electrical services for all of your residential and commercial needs. Our vision is to get the job done right, with integrity and customer care.
When you contact us for your electrical safety and maintenance concerns, we will help you find the services that are right for you, including:
- Residential and Commercial Services: Expertise in wiring, troubleshooting, and more
- Panel Upgrades and Repairs: Ensure your system is up to code and running efficiently
- Monthly Maintenance Plans: Proactive care for long-term peace of mind
Now that you have completed your homeowner electrical checklist and made plans to resolve any safety concerns you discovered, bundle up and stay warm! Rest assured we are happy to help our North Texas neighbors and customers stay safe and keep warm this winter.
