What are the 7 dangers of home electrical hazards?

Electrical hazards can happen anywhere at any time, especially within the confines of your own home.

You may not pay too much attention to electrical hazards, and maybe even fail to identify one right in front of you.

Not being aware of such risks, however, can lead to major home disasters!

So whether you’re planning new electrical projects, electrical renovations, or certain electrical repairs, an expert electrician in Highett is the best person to entrust your electrical works to as you can ensure reliability, quality, and safety with every visit.

Save the number of Briggs’s local electrician near you: 1300 300 222.

Alternatively, you can lodge a job  with us online today!

The seven dangers of home electrical hazards

Following electrical safety measures protects you from electrical dangers that can result in damage, injury, or even death.

Expert electricians can perform safe and thorough electrical inspections, identifying potential risks that can be solved quickly.

Electrical risks can also be reduced by being aware of these seven dangers, outlined by our reliable Melbourne electricians.

Before we delve into the dangers of home electrical hazards, you can check out the warning signs for an impending electrical fire in this article.

What are some electrical hazards?

1. Poor and defective electrical wiring

Damaged electrical wiring can result in sudden power surges or minor explosions which are two of the main causes of electrical fires.

You may need a qualified and reliable electrician to check your electrical wirings to see that there are no issues or faults with your circuits.

You may need to replace old and faulty electrical wirings that not only poses a risk to the safety of your home, family, and appliances, but may also be increasing your bills from generating excessive power.

2. Overloaded powerboards

Are you trying to fit too many appliances into one extension powerboard?

Using powerboards may seem like an easy way to have all your appliances in the same spot, but plugging too many devices into one powerboard can cause overheating, tripping, or sparks.

If possible, avoid using powerboards as a permanent substitute for direct power sockets and avoid using such for too many appliances, especially for older powerboards. Replace damaged powerboards immediately.

3. Inadequate outlets

Not all appliances are the same. Some electrical appliances require specific amperage to turn on.

For example, the outlet your air conditioning uses will have a higher amperage than the outlet in your bathroom that powers your hair straightener.

Plugging too many complex devices into one outlet panel can result in overheating or even start a fire.

DIY installation of extra panels can damage your electrical equipment, as you may not know the right amperage to use in a particular outlet.

Our expert electricians in Melbourne can help you install additional outlets depending on the required amp.

A licensed electrician knows the right location, desired amp, and the right type of outlet needed for your rooms and appliances.

4. Wet electrical outlets

As we all know, water is a conductor of electricity. That’s why it’s important to keep electrical outlets as far away from water sources, and as dry as possible, to avoid electrical shocks.

Water and electricity should never mix, and even during an electrical fire, you should never use water to extinguish it, but instead use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.

Worried about wet electrical outlets? Contact our 24-hour emergency electricians in Highett!

What is an electric shock hazard?

An electric shock hazard is when a person comes into contact with an electrical current.

Since the human body is a conductor of electricity, this energy flows in the body, causing an electrical shock. This can result in injury and in some cases, even death.

What are the three hazards of electricity?

Electricity will always have its risks and hazards. That’s why you need to apply electrical safety practices in your home. Electrical hazards that you should be aware of include:

• Electrical shocks, burns, and other electrical injuries
• Electrical fire from electrical appliances and faulty installations
• Electrical explosions from electrical equipment

5. Old and damaged electrical appliances

Old appliances may seem harmless as long as they generally work how they’re supposed to, but did you know that using old or damaged appliances can also be a safety risk?

Such appliances are prone to frays, kinks, cracks, and even pinched cords that are prone to corrosion, bending, and overheating.

So make sure you have your old appliances checked or better yet, replaced, even with minimal signs of wear and tear to keep you, your family, and your home safe from any damage.

6. Flickering light bulbs

You may think that flickering lights do you no harm. But little did you know, that they can indicate underlying issues regarding your electrical system?

They can pose a great danger and sometimes start a fire, especially when this happens frequently.

If flickering or fluctuating lights become an area of concern, then you might need the help of a reliable Melbourne electrician to assess the source of the issue.

There are a couple of causes of flickering light bulbs, such as:

• Faulty light switches
• Loose light bulbs
• Voltage fluctuations
• Loose wirings
• Overloaded circuits

7. DIY electrical repairs

There are aspects of your home that require experts who have the right knowledge and background of delivering high-quality services, such as for electrical inspections and repairs.

Safety and quality are two of the most important factors when undertaking all electrical projects. So you should contact a licensed and qualified electrician to get your projects done right.

And whether you’re curious about electrical considerations in your new house or unfinished work you’ve been putting off for far too long, our expert electricians are still the best choice when it comes to ensuring reliability, quality, and safety.

Early detection can make all the difference, explore the importance of smoke alarms in preventing electrical fires.

Curious about how smoke alarms work? Get a comprehensive understanding of smoke alarms and their role in home safety explained by our electricians in Highett.

Avoid dangerous electrical hazards with Briggs Electrical

Prevention is key to electrical fire safety – discover practical tips to keep your home safe from electrical fires.

Let a licensed, qualified, and expert electrician provide you with a range of complete domestic electrical services that includes safety inspections, as well as:

• Blown electrical fuse
• Safety switch failure
• Electrical fires
• Lighting and appliance failure
• Power failure/blackouts

We guarantee delivery of the right electrical solutions to your home or commercial space.

Briggs’ 24-hour emergency electrician is here to help you when you need it most, no matter the time of day.

Call Briggs today on 1300 300 222 or fill in the form  to lodge a job with us now.