It’s the middle of summer, and you’re trying to keep your house as cool as possible. You’ve been running the air conditioner all day, but it’s not quite keeping up with the heat. You decide to turn on your fans to help circulate the air. Suddenly, you hear a loud POP, and the power goes out. Chances are, you have experienced a short circuit. In a worst case scenario, if it’s too late, it becomes an explosion leading to a home fire. Only professionals from the Security Guards Fire Watch can help you minimize the impact. That’s why doing these best practices to prevent short circuits in your home is necessary. What are those? Keep reading to find out.

Regular Basic Circuit Breaker Maintenance

Let’s begin with the basics. A circuit breaker is an important part of your home’s electrical system. Its main purpose is to protect your home from electrical fires. When the current flowing through the circuit breaker becomes too much, it trips the breaker and shuts off the flow of electricity. This prevents overheating and potential fires. You should test your breakers monthly to make sure they are working correctly. Simply turn off all the lights and appliances in your home and trip each breaker one by one. If the power doesn’t go out, you know it’s time to replace the breaker.

Reduced or Cut-Off Electrical Usage During Storms

During storms, there are often power surges. These can happen when lightning strikes a power line or transformer. The surge of electricity can overload your home’s circuits and cause a short circuit. To prevent this, reducing your electrical usage during storms is best. Turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances. If you have a generator, only use it to power essential items like your refrigerator and lights.

Proper GFCIs Installed in Your Home

GFCI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter. These devices are designed to protect you from electrical shock. They work by constantly monitoring the current flowing through the circuit. If there is a sudden drop in current, it indicates a ground fault. When this happens, the GFCI trips and shuts off the power. This prevents you from being electrocuted. GFCIs should be installed in any area of your home where there is water, such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or garage.

No Cord Close to Any Heat and Water Sources

This is another basic, yet often neglected, rule. Cords should never be placed close to heat sources such as radiators, stoves, or fireplaces. They should also be kept away from wet areas like sinks and tubs. Water can damage the insulation on cords and cause them to Short Circuit. As a matter of fact, any time a cord is wet, you should unplug it and let it dry completely before using it again.

In summary, by doing the best practices above, you can prevent short circuits in your home. Not only will this save you from the hassle and potential danger of a power outage, but it could also save your life. If you live in an apartment or in a crowded neighborhood, these tips are especially important, since a fire in your home could spread to your neighbor’s apartment and cause even more damage. So be sure to follow these best practices and stay safe.