Electricity is something we don’t think about much. In fact, we take  for granted that it is there for us when we need it. Most importantly, we rarely consider the “dark side” of electricity. If not respected, electricity can injure you severely, or even kill you.   Let’s take a look at ways we can keep our relationship with electricity safe and productive.

Keeping Children Safe

The National Fire Protection Association tells us that each year about 2,400 children are injured when they insert items into electrical receptacles. Six to 12 of these annual injuries are fatal.   

The best way to protect children from electrical injuries is by preventing them from being able to insert anything into outlets. There are several ways to do this, from little plastic plug caps to complete outlet covers.

However, the best way to keep little ones (and everyone else) safe is to install tamper resistant receptacles (TRRs). They look like normal receptacles, but they are equipped with spring-loaded shutters that block the slots and prevent objects from being inserted. When a real plug is inserted, the springs are released and the plug slides in smoothly. The trick is that an electrical plug compresses both springs at once. However, if a child inserts an object into one opening, the springs do their job and the object does not make contact with electricity.

Are TRRs expensive? Not at all! They cost just a bit more than regular plugs. This one’s a no-brainer! Replace all your outlets with TRRs. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, call a licensed electrician. It’s a small price to pay for the safety of your little ones. Click here to watch a video about how TRRs work. 

Keeping Cool!

Electrical outlets and switches should be cool to the touch and tight. If they feel warm or loose, emit a burning smell, or make a crackling noise, go to your electrical panel and shut power to that breaker immediately. Replace the switch or outlet before a fire or injury happens. 

Watch out for flickering 

Lights that flicker or shut off without a reason could be a sign of loose or broken wires. Both of these are serious fire dangers. Ask an electrician to check the switch, the fixture, and the circuit breaker. The cost of this is small compared to loss of property or life in the event of fire. 

Feeling a bit overloaded? 

Never crowd up your outlets with more than they are equipped to handle. Power strips are intended to protect delicate equipment from surges, but not for plugging ten items into one outlet.   Standard outlets are made to power just a few devices. Overloaded outlets are not just a serious fire risk, but they are a major cause of home and building fires. So lighten their load at once if you’re overworking them!

Whose fault?  The ground’s fault! 

Wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms are risky places to use electrical appliances. Electricity and water don’t mix. While you may be tempted to handle a hairdryer or toaster with wet hands, please just say NO! The few seconds you’ll save are not worth serious injury or death. 

Wet hands or not, the best practice for wet areas of your home is to install outlets with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). GFCIs are those outlets with a red and black button on them (test and reset). When you plug a device into a GFCI outlet, it monitors the power entering the device. Let’s say you accidentally drop a hair dryer into a sink full of water, the GFCI registers the change in current and cuts off the power to the device. This can save your life! 

New homes are required to have GFCIs in wet areas, but even if your home is older, be sure GFCI circuits are present in the areas where water flows freely. Click here to read more about how GFCIs work.

Don’t fight fire with fire! 

If you ever see flames coming from an electrical outlet or switch, don’t throw water at it. Water just conducts more electricity, and it can make the problem a lot worse. Keep a fire retardant chemical extinguisher on each level of your home, and make sure everyone knows how to use it. 

Click here to see a video on dry chemical fire extinguisher use. 

Discard that old, dry Christmas tree 

It’s hard to part with that beautiful Christmas tree. Who wants to end that amazing feeling of Christmas? However, dried up trees are a common source of fire. Do an inspection of your tree by running your hand along one of the branches. If needles fall off freely, it’s time to take down the lights and ornaments and discard the tree.  

Happy New Year!

A new year means new beginnings. Peter Young Home Inspections wishes all of you a healthy and prosperous 2020!

Buying or selling a home? 

Know before you sign on the dotted line! Call Asheville Home Inspector Peter Young, 828-808-4980, or click the link below to make an appointment today.

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It’s holiday time once again. For many people, it’s their favorite time of the year. With delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen, the twinkle of Christmas lights, that tangy Christmas tree smell, the excited voices of children ­– it’s the time to rejoice in glad tidings. Basking in the warm, holiday glow can make it easy to let your guard down. Don’t! We at Peter Young Home Inspections urge to you to keep your holidays joyous by observing some common sense safety precautions.

Lights

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Lights transform holidays into magical feasts for the eyes. Here are a few ways to enjoy your holiday lights without YOU lighting up like a Christmas tree.

• Who doesn’t love the smell of scented candles? Remember to keep candles away from decorations and combustible materials. NEVER use candles to decorate a Christmas tree. Trees dry out as time goes by, making them a serious fire hazard when flames are nearby.
• Inspect new and used light strings carefully. Check for loose or broken bulbs are frayed wiring. Repair or replace damaged components before plugging the lights in.
• When mounting lights, guide them through hooks or insulated staples. Do not use nails or tacks.
• Don’t overload extension cords. Use high quality power strips equipped with surge protectors.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. If a wire becomes frayed, the tree can become an electrical conductor, presenting risk of injury or death by electrocution.
• Be sure outdoor lights, wires and cords are rated for outdoor use.
• Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits equipped with ground fault interrupters (GFI) to prevent electrical shocks. If you’re not sure if your outdoor receptacles have GFIs, please consult an electrician.
• Shut off all lights and other electrical decorations when you go to sleep or leave the house. Unattended holiday lights can short out and cause fires.
• Keep children and pets away from lights and other electrical decorations. Always hang lights and decorations at least six inches higher than children can reach. 

Christmas Trees

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Nothing says Christmas better than that wonderful fir tree smell! Here are some ways to enjoy your tree in safety.

• Buying a live tree? Always check for freshness. The tree should be vibrant and green. Needles should be hard to pull from branches and should not break when bent between your fingers.
• Set up your live tree in a stand that allows for easy watering. Cutting a few inches off the trunk to expose fresh wood lets your tree absorb more water and keeps it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
• Prevent your tree from tipping over by making sure the stand is big enough and sturdy enough for the size of your tree.
• Set up your tree away from heat sources, such as radiators, electric heaters, fireplaces, and woodstoves.
• Keep pets away from your tree whenever possible. Also, if you have pets, don’t use edible decorations on your tree, such as strings of popcorn. Your pet may try to eat them and bring the tree crashing down.
• If you are purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as “fire-resistant.”

Entertaining

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The best part of holidays is time spent with loved ones. Here are some ways to keep them safe.

• Never leave small children unattended while you are entertaining guests. If your attention is elsewhere, be sure to have a babysitter, relative, or older sibling taking care of the children.
• Keep children away from ovens, stoves, and hot surfaces. If possible, keep them out of the kitchen while you are preoccupied with cooking.
• Keep an eye on your guests. Serve alcohol in moderation so nobody drives home intoxicated.
• Always use timers when cooking. A common cause of holiday fires is food burning in the oven.

Follow these simple tips and stay safe for the holidays. In whatever way you choose to celebrate, we wish you and yours a joyous holiday season.

Knowledge is power!

Are you buying or selling a home? Avoid unpleasant surprises by calling Peter Young Home Inspections today.

Click the button below to make an appointment.

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As holidays approach, now is a good time to assess your house for “childproofing.” All of us here at Peter Young Home Inspections want to you enjoy the holidays without having to worry about the safety of your children or young visitors. Here are some ways to make your home safer for the little ones.

Safety latches & locks

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are hazardous places for children.  Medicines, household cleaners, sharp knives, and more need to be kept out of children’s reach. Safety latches and locks on cabinets and drawers keep kids out and ensure your peace of mind. Ask at your home supply store or shop online for cabinet and drawer safety latches and locks.

Door locks

This one is simple: Locked doors help keep children from entering hazardous areas, such as laundry rooms and swimming pool enclosures. Be sure to install locks on these areas, and place them higher than children can reach.

Outlet covers & plates

Those common plastic plug inserts that you see in people’s homes: forget them! Most children older than two can just pull them out of the outlet. There are other options, such as the total outlet cover (pictured at right) or sliding receptacle covers. Ask at your home supply store, check in baby stores, or search online for child outlet covers.

Window guards & safety netting

Window guards and safety netting for balconies and decks can help keep kids safe from serious falls. If you use window guards, be sure there are no more than four inches of space between bars, or children can become trapped. Also, be sure one window in each room is left unbarred as an emergency fire escape. Keep this one closed and secured with a window latch out of children’s reach. WARNING: Don’t rely on window screens to prevent fall injuries. They can rip or pop out easily.

Safety gates

Avoid accidents on stairs and keep children out of dangerous areas with safety gates. Look for gates that children can’t open but are easy for adults to open and close. Look for gates with a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety seal. These are far safer than older gates, which may have V shapes large enough to trap a child’s head or neck. Replace older gates if you are not sure. Gates at the top of staircases should be secured to the wall.

Window blind cords

Window blind cords and children are a dangerous combination. Despite improvements in the industry, children continue to be killed or injured by blind cords. For safety, cordless blinds are best. If your home has corded blinds and you can’t afford to replace them, cut the cord loops, remove the buckles, and install safety tassels designed to break in half under pressure.

These are all simple, common sense solutions to help make your home safer for children, not only during the upcoming holidays, but all year long. Be sure to take some time and effort to make your home child safe.

Inspect before you buy

Thinking of buying a home, especially one being sold as is? Know what you are buying. Make an appointment with Peter Young Home Inspections today.

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