As we weather through Winter, the chances get higher than your home could experience an electrical emergency. With extra electrical needs pulled from things like holiday lighting, the extended use of the light inside your home with daylight savings time, and increased heating use, the stress on your electrical system raises when the temperature drops.

There was a time when outlet covers were just flat pieces of plastic used to hid the metal housing and wiring to your outlets. Sometimes you could even find some stylish wooden covers or maybe even one with your favorite sports team's logo on it.

One of the most deadly electricity-related dangers is those that occur by electric shock - primarily by a shock from a ground fault. When electricity escapes the usual confines of the wiring of an electrically powered appliance, power tools, or even light fixtures, the electricity takes a shortcut to the ground the result is what's called a ground fault.

The fact is, the biggest danger of DIY Electrical work is the simple fact that electricity is deadly and when not handled properly, the consequences are irreversible. 

Kids are naturally curious and have a strong desire to explore the world around them. When it comes to electricity, however, seemingly innocent exploration can lead to highly dangerous consequences. While it’s important to teach children to respect electricity, it is also important for them to learn how to handle electrical situations responsibly. 

An important part of keeping your home maintained and safe is knowing what to look for when it comes to updating your electrical outlets. Since 2008, National Electrical Code requires that new and renovated dwellings have tamper-resistant receptacles, or TRRs. Designed to prevent children from inserting objects into outlets, TRRs have spring-loaded shutters that close off the receptacles’ contact openings (slots). When a plug is inserted straight into the receptacle, both springs are compressed and the shutters open. But, if someone attempts to insert an object into only one opening, the shutters do not open and there is no contact with electricity. source

In our homes today, appliance timers are proving useful for saving power by automatically turning off and on appliances when we need them. We use the timers to control anything from lighting, sprinklers, water heaters and coffee makers.

As a homeowner or renter, keeping a close eye on what your electrical system is telling you is crucial to the safety of your home and family. Several internal issues could be lurking in your home that require immediate attention and if they are continually ignored, serious problems could occur.

You have a lurking danger in your home, something you may not even think about. Almost everything in your home runs off of electricity, from your cell phone charger to your refrigerator. Without these items, how would you live your everyday life? Electricity is a blessing in the modern day home, however, it's also a large hazard if you're home isn't properly protected! Some of the most common hazards are also some of the most easily prevented!