Tag: electrical safety

Electrical Fires: How They Start and Prevention Measures

Jul 26, 2022

Electrical Fires: How They Start and Prevention Measures

  • Electrical
electrical fire prevention

According to the latest statistics, electrical fires account for approximately 51,000 of the house fires each year in the United States. Nearly 500 people die in those fires and more than 1,400 come away injured. They account for $1.3 billion in damages to property. They’re a very real threat and nothing to turn your nose up at. Taking the necessary steps to minimize the risks to your home and family isn’t just worthwhile, it’s arguably your responsibility and duty to do so.

Make Sure Your Smoke Detectors Work

65% of the home fire deaths that occur annually happen in instances where the home has no functional smoke detectors or have otherwise faulty detectors. The most valuable thing you can protect in the event of a house fire is the safety and lives of those in your home. Should something happen, be it electrical or otherwise, you need to make sure there’s a fool-proof system in place to warn you and your about the imminent danger. You can start by changing out your detectors batteries every six months. If you’re looking at getting new detectors, we at Integra have the skillset to help. For optimal protection, we recommend what’s known as dual sensor smoke detectors. These types of systems are encouraged by the U.S Fire Administration to most effectively signal all growing fires as quickly as possible.

Risk Assessment Inspection

Risk management the act of going through the property and isolating potential electrical fire hazards. After a trained professional inspects the property, they can help you determine what steps are the most logical for you to take to mitigate or even outright eliminate those risks. Here are some of the most commonly found electrical fire risk factors found in the average home:

  • Faulty electrical outlets (loose frames, wires sticking out, sparking when plugs are inserted, etc.)
  • Ungrounded plus
  • Extension cord misuse
  • Space heaters in general
  • Old wiring
  • Flammable material ear light fixtures

Use Electrical Outlets Responsibly for Electrical Fire Prevention

All too often people abuse their electrical systems. Overloading outlets, over-using electrical extension cords, and using the wrong type of lightbulb are all huge risk factors for electrical fires. Using space heaters sparingly (if at all) use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the light fixture, and use extension cords sparingly and for brief periods of time.

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Please check with lender for up-to-date terms, conditions and eligibility requirements. Information on this page is subject to change. Integra Electrical is not responsible for the terms and conditions of third party lenders, or the accuracy of this page. electrical fire prevention electrical fire prevention electrical fire prevention 

By zach@admachines.com

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Electrical Safety Tips

Feb 22, 2021

Electrical Safety Tips

  • Electrical
Electrical Safety Tips

Electrical Safety Tips

In the U.S., we are addicted to our electricity–it allows us to read, work and play after dark, provides power to time-saving appliances, and (most importantly!) powers our personal electronics such as phones and tablets. However, electricity deserves a great deal of respect and careful treatment to ensure that your home isn’t subject to dangerous electrical fires caused by aging wiring or simple negligence. Electrical fires have caused over 50,000 fires, thousands of injuries, and over a billion dollars in direct property damage in the last 10 years, and these damages are largely avoidable when you follow basic safety tips. Being proactive about how electricity is used in your home is the first step towards ensuring that your home and family are safe from the hidden dangers lurking in your walls. 

Dangers Associated with Electricity

Electricity is considered a hidden danger because it’s not something that you can physically see. You see the outcome (a light turns on, the TV works), but you don’t technically see the power flowing through the wires inside your walls. Unfortunately, it’s easy to ignore the need for electrical safety and frequent reviews of your systems until it’s too late. Here’s a few of the challenges that you might encounter with your electricity:

  • Decreased lifespan for your appliances and lightbulbs
  • Lights that flicker, or turn on/off without touching the switch

Apart from these symptoms, homeowners can also end up with a fair amount of pain and suffering from allowing the problems to go on–an increased risk of fires, reduction in property values when your home goes through a contractor review, and increased spending on maintenance services and repairs as you attempt to pinpoint the problems. 

Benefits of a Regular Electrical Safety Inspection

Many electrical fires and electrocutions can be prevented through taking simple maintenance steps and understanding basic safety principles. Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter or a business owner, keeping safety tips close to hand and reviewing them regularly may be the difference between a worry-free fall and a season of frustration–or loss. Benefits of keeping your electrical system up to date include a reduced risk of damage to your family and to your property, a steadier flow of power throughout your home, a longer lifespan on your expensive home appliances and reduced overall spending on your electrical bills. Perhaps the most important benefit to following simple electrical safety tips is the peace of mind that you’ll have knowing that your family and home are safe from the damaging effects of electrical fires. 

Tips for Staying Safe at Home

Even if your lights aren’t flickering, you could still have problems with the electrical flow throughout your home that haven’t shown up yet. Following these tips will help you get ahead of problems before the occur. Knowledge is power, and a solid understanding of your electrical systems and where potential problems may occur can help keep you and your family safe. The good news is that you don’t need an electrical license or a Master’s degree to follow these tips–and while you may have heard a few of these before, you’ll almost certainly find a new idea that can help you save money and stay safe. 

Indoor Electrical Safety Tips

  • Unplug Battery Chargers – Did you know that your battery chargers continue to pull a trickle of electricity through the wires even if you’re not actively charging your electronics? Unplugging them from the wall completely offers one less opportunity for a fire to start–plus saves money on your next energy bill!
  • Keep Electrical Fixtures Clear – Ensure that your electrical outlets are clear of furniture or clothing that could potentially cause a spark or burn if they got hot enough. 
  • Right-Size Your Bulbs – Lighting fixtures are rated for specific bulb wattages, and exceeding that wattage requirement can cause an overload on your wiring, just as an underpowered bulb can cause stress to the system. 
  • Replace Damaged Cords – Probably everyone has considered putting duct tape or electrical tape on a fraying cord at some point–but resist that idea! Damaged cords are prone to cause shock, short circuits or even fire.
  • Use a GCFI – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (or GCFIs) are commonly used in outlets, and can immediately shut off electric power to reduce the risk of electric shock or fires. They’re intended to trigger when current is flowing through a person or through water.
  • Test Smoke & Carbon Dioxide Detectors – An easy way to remember when you need to test your carbon dioxide and smoke detectors is that they should be tested and batteries replaced with each change of the seasons. 

Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips

  • Cut Back Debris – Outdoor electrical outlets are very handy, but they can also be prone to a lot of different problems such as shrubbery that grows too close to the wall or other debris. 
  • Review Your Tools – Outdoor power tools such as leaf blowers or trimmers have cords that are more likely to fray due to rough usage. Check them often and replace the cords as needed.
  • Upgrade Circuit Panels – When in doubt, call a licensed, professional electrician to upgrade or review your circuit panels. 
  • Know Your Space – When you’re working outside on a ladder, be cautious of the placement of electrical lines and wiring so you don’t accidentally yank something loose. 

These simple tips can help your family stay safe this fall and all year ’round! Electricity is a wonderful modern convenience, but taking the time to perform simple reviews of your wiring and electrical systems can help reduce the number of accidents that occur each year. 

Contact Wave Electric Company For Electrical Safety Inspections

Take control of your home safety by keeping your system up-to-date. An updated electric system will not only protect your home against hazards, but can save you money on your energy bill, too, by cutting back on wasted power. The licensed electricians at Integra Electrical offer same-day inspections when available. So don’t risk electrical fire or other hazards if your home is not up to par with this checklist. Call our office today and see why local homeowners trust their electrical systems to Integra!

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Electrical Outlet Upgrades In Des Moines

By zach@admachines.com

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

Dec 16, 2020

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

  • Electrical
Des Moines Electrical Inspection

Is the electrical system in your Des Moines home up to date and able to safely handle your modern lifestyle? If you haven’t had an electrician to your home lately, you may want to consider doing so as a prevention strategy. This way, you can find issues before they develop into serious problems. As homes age, wiring frays and connections loosen. New appliances can strain the system. It’s important to have electricians to your home for routine maintenance. Check out our post below to see the results of a recent Des Moines electrical inspection completed by the team here at Integra Electrical, and the safety upgrades that followed.

Old Home Electrical Safety

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

This old home contained a multitude of out-of-date electrical systems that now posed a hazard to the family. The first thing we did was install new electrical grounding rods by the main panel to secure a grounded connection. The basement contained several live hanging wires, including a junction wire that was hanging behind the furnace.

Knob & Tube Rewiring

Knob and tube wiring was the standard way to wire homes in the past, but is not equipped to handle the electric currents of a modern lifestyle. This Des Moines electrical inspection revealed both live and dead knob and tube wiring all throughout the attic, which needed to be removed and rewired and new circuits were run to the attic.

GFCI, AFCI & USB Outlets

Des Moines Electrical Inspection 

GFCI outlets are designed to protect against electric shock and are essential in rooms with water, such as a kitchen or bathroom. During this Des Moines electrical inspection, we replaced all existing basement outlets with GFCI outlets to keep the family safe, especially in the case of a leak or flood in the basement.

AFCI outlets protect against heat caused by electrical arcing, which can lead to electrical fire. In addition to AFCI outlet installation, we also installed AFCI breakers, which are now legally required in the installation of most new homes. For safety purposes, AFCI breakers are required in existing homes whenever a new circuit or outlet is installed, so we added them in all bedrooms, living rooms and rooms with newly altered circuits.

This Des Moines home was also modernized with new USB outlets in the bedrooms to conveniently charge electronics.

Electrical Switch Updates For Lighting & Fans

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

One major sign of outdated home electrical wiring is switches that do not efficiently control the rooms lights and fans. For example, if you can flip a switch to turn a plugged-in lamp off and can now no longer use the additional plug to charge your phone with unless you flip the switch back on, it may be time for an update. New lighting was installed in this Des Moines home’s bedrooms, controlled independently by new switches that are not connected to power outlets.

Two stacked switches were installed to control the new outdoor lighting and kitchen light/ceiling fan combo. Stacked switches have two switches that allow the electrical elements to be controlled independently. This family can now flip one switch to turn on their kitchen light, and flip the other switch on the stack to turn on the fan. This way, they can easily choose between the light and the fan for occasions where they do not need to use both.

Home Surge Protection

Des Moines Electrical Inspection

We concluded this Des Moines electrical inspection by recommending home surge protection installation. Home surge protection blocks surges caused by malfunctioning appliances, outdated wiring, tripped circuit breakers, damaged power lines and even lightning strikes from entering the circuits within your home. When power surges within the home, a larger-than-normal amount of electricity enters the electrical system and everything hooked up to it. Power surges will damage or destroy expensive devices and appliances, and can even cause electrical fires if they are severe enough.

Call Integra Today For Des Moines Electrical Inspection

Read Our Reviews On Google

Our team of expert electricians are standing by ready to provide our customers with thorough and comprehensive Des Moines electrical inspection. Keep your family safe by guaranteeing your home electrical system is up to date and can safely handle all the devices and appliances hooked up to it. Call our office today and see why local homeowners trust their electrical systems to Integra!

Electrical Outlet Upgrades In Des Moines

By zach@admachines.com

Electrical Safety Tips For Your Home

Sep 14, 2020

Electrical Safety Tips For Your Home

  • Electrical
electrical safety tips in Indianola from Integra Electrical

Electrical Safety In Your Indianola Home

Integra Electrical

Even if your lights aren’t flickering, you could still have problems with the electrical flow throughout your home that haven’t shown up yet. Following these tips will help you get ahead of problems before they occur. Knowledge is power, and a solid understanding of your electrical systems and where potential problems may occur can help keep you and your family safe. The good news is that you don’t need an electrical license or a Master’s degree to follow these tips–and while you may have heard a few of these before, you’ll almost certainly find a new idea that can help you save money and stay safe. 

Indoor Electrical Safety Tips

  • Unplug Battery Chargers. Did you know that your battery chargers continue to pull a trickle of electricity through the wires even if you’re not actively charging your electronics? Unplugging them from the wall completely offers one less opportunity for a fire to start–plus saves money on your next energy bill!
  • Keep Electrical Fixtures Clear. Ensure that your electrical outlets are clear of furniture or clothing that could potentially cause a spark or burn if they got hot enough. 
  • Right-Size Your Bulbs. Lighting fixtures are rated for specific bulb wattages, and exceeding that wattage requirement can cause an overload on your wiring, just as an underpowered bulb can cause stress to the system. 
  • Replace Damaged Cords. Probably everyone has considered putting duct tape or electrical tape on a fraying cord at some point–but resist that idea! Damaged cords are prone to cause shock, short circuits, or even fire.
  • Use a GCFI. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (or GCFIs) are commonly used in outlets, and can immediately shut off the electric power to reduce the risk of electric shock or fires. They’re intended to trigger when current is flowing through a person or through the water.
  • Test Smoke and Carbon Dioxide Detectors. An easy way to remember when you need to test your carbon dioxide and smoke detectors is that they should be tested and batteries replaced with each change of the seasons. 

Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips

  • Cut Back Debris. Outdoor electrical outlets are very handy, but they can also be prone to a lot of different problems such as shrubbery that grows too close to the wall or other debris. 
  • Review Your Tools. Outdoor power tools such as leaf blowers or trimmers have cords that are more likely to fray due to rough usage. Check them often and replace the cords as needed.
  • Upgrade Circuit Panels. When in doubt, call a licensed, professional electrician to upgrade or review your circuit panels. 
  • Know Your Space. When you’re working outside on a ladder, be cautious of the placement of electrical lines and wiring so you don’t accidentally yank something loose. 

These simple tips can help your family stay safe this fall and all year ’round! Electricity is a wonderful modern convenience, but taking the time to perform simple reviews of your wiring and electrical systems can help reduce the number of accidents that occur each year. Call Integra Electrical today to schedule your electrical repair if you need it!

By zach@admachines.com

5 Electrical Features Keeping Your Home Safe

Aug 17, 2020

5 Electrical Features Keeping Your Home Safe

  • Electrical
electrical safety

5 Electrical Features Keeping Your Home Safe

Many people don’t realize just how much you’re required to know as a homeowner until they’ve already signed a mortgage and started moving in. If you’ve never owned a home before, it can quickly feel like a full-time job or a test that you can never quite sturdy enough for. Out of all the things that are important to know as a homeowner, however, your house’s electrical system should always be at the very top of the list.

Knowing how your electrical system works can save you money on utility bills and decrease your carbon footprint, but it can also bring with it the biggest benefit of all: keeping you and your family safe and secure at all times.

What Happens if You Don’t Know How Your Electrical System Works?

Failing to understand the various features and components that make up your home’s electrical system leaves you vulnerable in a number of different ways. This goes well beyond the simple fact that if something breaks, nobody will be around to fix it but you. It also brings with it a number of other issues, including but not limited to things like:

  • You’re decreasing your personal and home safety. Small problems with your home’s electrical system can quickly create dangerous situations before you know it.
  • You’re increasing the cost of your monthly utility bills by failing to take advantage of certain tips and best practices.
  • You literally don’t have the knowledge required to make smart energy consumption and safety decisions moving forward.

These are all pretty significant problems, but luckily they all have the same straightforward solution: education.

Why You Should Learn Your Home’s Electrical System Features

Along the same lines, taking the time to learn more about your home’s electrical system brings with it a host of unique benefits that you can’t afford to ignore:

  • You increase your home safety. If a small problem with your electrical system occurs, you know exactly what to fix (and most importantly, how to fix it) to avoid letting it snowball into a much more dangerous situation.
  • You decrease your monthly utility bills. Knowing your electrical system allows you to make sure it’s running efficiently, which avoids waste and sends those monthly bills as low as possible.
  • You can make smarter energy consumption choices. You can more easily identify which habits you and your family have that are costing you money, allowing you to put a stop to them sooner rather than later.

Call Integra Electrical at the First Sign of a Problem! We’re ready to help you today.

By zach@admachines.com

9 Electrical Safety Warning Signs in Your Home

Jul 20, 2020

9 Electrical Safety Warning Signs in Your Home

  • Electrical
electrical safety warning signs

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety: Warning Signs to Watch Out For

If you haven’t had an electrician to your home lately, you may want to consider doing so as a prevention strategy. This way, you can find issues before they develop into serious problems. As homes age, wiring frays and connections loosen. New appliances can strain the system. It’s important to have electricians to your home for routine maintenance.

If you do not recognize the warning signs of an electrical safety hazard, resulting issues can be annoying, expensive, and dangerous. At the least, electricity that isn’t working causes inconveniences. Repairs are time consuming and costly. If your appliances aren’t working efficiently, your energy bills will be higher. Appliances or lights  damaged beyond repair require replacements. A wonky electrical system lowers property resale value. At the worst, ignoring signs of impending electrical safety hazards means your home is at a higher risk of an electrical fire, or shocking someone.

However, knowing the warning signs of electrical system failures, and using preventative maintenance, brings many benefits. You will pay less for your monthly bill, your property resale value will be higher, the lifespan of your lights and appliances will be longer! Your family will be safer. Read on to discover which warning signs to be aware of.

  1. When outlets have burn marks on the cover, the hot, or energized, wire has touched the neutral or ground wire. Corrosion over time or dirt and dust can make this problem occur.
  2. If your lights are flickering or dimming more than just once in a while, your system’s connections are loose somewhere, or you have voltage fluctuation – a serious problem. Other symptoms of voltage fluctuation are light bulbs glowing too bright or too dim, or burning out faster than they should.
  3. Smoke that smells off may signal a fire. The beginning stages of electrical fires,  as well as  brief burns caused by a short circuit, give off a tell-tale, acrid-scented smoke. A short might cause an electrical fire if it occurs within the walls, and catches surrounding materials on fire. If you have any sign of shorts occurring, remove the fuse or turn off your circuit breaker until an electrician can come by to check the circuit.
  4. Other symptoms of trouble behind your walls are any kind of noises, like buzzing or clicks, when you flip a light switch. This is caused by faulty wiring within or close to the switch or outlet, or a loose connection on the switch, causing a short.
  5. If you have mice in your house, then you might need to worry that they are chewing your wiring. Rodents gnawing on electrical wires will obviously cause problems with your system – not least, a potential electrical fire. Luckily, this problem isn’t as common as some of the other ones in this list. However, rodents have been known to chew wires to clear room to squeeze into holes passing through studs … and if you find one stud where they’ve done so, chances are they did it at more than one stud.
  6. Another sign that you’ve got a problem is a circuit breaker that keeps tripping. Circuit breakers are built to “trip,” or shut off their electric flow, when they become overheated – to prevent damage or an electrical fire. If it’s doing this continually, chances are you’ve got an overloaded circuit, ground fault, or a short circuit.
  7. Frequent power outages are an extremely frustrating sign of electrical issues. They can mean many various problems. Electrochemical treeing is one such issue, which happens when poorly manufactured insulation has allowed moisture penetration to occur, reducing dielectric strength. Or, power outages can be due to transformer failures, lightning, tree branches or fallen trees pushing lines together, birds nesting and causing faults on transmission towers, pecking at utility poles, or contaminating insulators with excrement, or contact from other animals – snakes, squirrels, insect colonies, large mammals, or rodents (view number six.)
  8. Outlets or switch plates that become hot – especially when they don’t even have anything plugged in – likely mean improper wiring. You may need to flip the breaker, or or remove the outlet’s fuse, until you can schedule professional help.
  9. Serious sparks from an outlet means you’ve got a short circuit, which can cause a fire. Sparking breaker panels or fuse boxes are just as serious. If an appliance is sparking, however, that’s more likely a sign that the appliance itself is damaged – get the appliance repaired. If the appliance is new, its warranty may take care of repair costs.

If you notice any of these signs, time to call Integra Electrical! Wait too long, and the problem will only get more expensive to fix … and the possibility of danger increases.

By zach@admachines.com