#afcis

This year, while you are making your annual New Year’s resolutions, why not add some home improvement considerations to the list? Milestone knows firsthand how important electrical safety is for Dallas/Ft. Worth homes. We’ve seen neglected wiring systems, corroded and out-of-date electrical panels and dangerous outlet installations. Let’s make this New Year a safe one for your home and family by making sure your electrical system is performing at maximum efficiency.

So, what are your goals for 2017? We referenced the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and other home safety organizations for practical ideas for homeowners to contemplate. Whatever your intentions for next year, consider adding these home improvement goals to the list as well:

This year avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time. If you feel that there aren’t enough outlets for your household needs, consider hiring an electrician to add some more.

Go through your extension cords and review their condition. Replace all loose, damaged and old cords to ensure safety. 

Keep from running extension cords across heavily trafficked areas in the home. Never place them in doorways, across hallways or under rugs or carpeting. An exposed cord could cause someone to trip and fall. 

Safeguard your electrical receptacles if you have toddlers and small children. Install tamper-proof locks or tamper-resistant receptacles. 

Are there not enough electrical outlets for your household needs? Consider having additional circuits/outlets added by a professional electrician (this will keep extension cord usage to a minimum).

Buying a new appliance in the New Year? Make sure that you follow the   manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle   outlet. Some large appliances require a larger wattage than what is     available. 

This year avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time. If you feel that there aren’t enough outlets for your household needs, consider adding more. 

Take stock of your electrical receptacles/switches. Do you have plates that feel warm or are discolored? Are there frequent problems with tripped circuits? Do you have flickering or dimming lights? If you have any of these problems, contact a qualified electrician to assess the cause. 

This year check your table and floor lamps for potential safety concerns. Make sure all lamps are placed on level surfaces and away from fabrics and other material that might catch fire. Also make sure that each lamp bulb is the appropriate wattage. Change out any incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs. 

Secure all outlets that are close to water fixtures. Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and any area near a sink or hose. 

Go the extra mile to protect your electrical system. Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to keep electrical outlets safe. 

Schedule a home safety check to ensure that your electrical system is safe and free from potential problems. A professional safety check will also help you understand the current state of your system and steps you can take to keep it running at maximum efficiency. 

Enter the New Year with a safe and secure electrical system – with Milestone as your professional back-up. Give us a call if you need help with any of your electrical resolutions. Our team of professional electricians have the experience and the tools to help with any installation or service need. Call us today at 214-267-2405 (Dallas) or 817-267-2405 (Ft. Worth) to schedule an appointment!

For more information on electrical safety in the New Year, Milestone Electric & Air is here to help. Enroll in our Yes, MAM maintenance plan to help reduce energy costs, keep your home up to code and your HVAC system running at peak performance.

Call us at 214-348-5100. Our friendly Customer Care Center is open 24/7 for any questions, concerns, or service requests.

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Preventing Home Fires: Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

Problems in home wiring, like arcing and sparking, can cause fires in the home.

I handle a lot of home inspection and write up a lot of electrical problems. Most of those that I find and write up I consider to be a safety issue and dangerous. Most people with no electrical knowledge tend to disagree with me on some of the electrical items I write up. As a home inspector I am only making people…