Electrical Inspection for the Holidays

Keep Your Home Safe with an Electrical Inspection

The holidays are looming around the corner and that means a lot of time spent in the kitchen and a great time for an electrical inspection. It’s easy to get distracted by the stresses of stuffing the turkey and housing the in-laws and before you know it, you have used twice as much energy than usual in your home. Don’t let those distractions get overshadowed by the importance of inspecting your house’s electrical work to keep you and your family safe.

Did you know, kitchens are responsible for starting almost half of all accidental house fires? According to government statistics, the heavy use of electrical appliances in the kitchen is the leading cause of accidental electrical fires in homes, especially during the holidays. With the mixture of heat from appliances, electrical wiring and moisture from cooking, it’s a good idea to have an electrical inspection done if you think you will be using the kitchen over the holiday season.

Here are some great safety tips that you can do to ensure that your home stays festive this holiday season without a visit from the fire department!

Keep Cords Away from Hot Surfaces

Like most kitchens during the holidays, counter space can get pretty scarce. With so much going on, it’s not uncommon to accidentally drag an appliance cord or two over a hot stove top. After a few minutes of being unattended however, the stove could melt the protective layer off of the electrical wiring and start an electrical fire. Avoid these accidents with an electrical inspection from Mister Sparky OKC. Our techs are trained to identify potential hazards around homes that could be overlooked like loose cords. Be sure to keep long cords tied up and tucked away from any hot surfaces.

Keep Water Away from Outlets

It’s no secret that water and electricity are a bad combination. Make sure to keep liquid far away from outlets in the kitchen and always use dry hands to unplug cords from the socket. If you suspect that there could be water damage in your outlets, call Mister Sparky immediately and do not use the affected outlet(s). Our team will come out and do a full electrical inspection of your system to make sure your home is safe and ready for your guests. With so many spills from sinks, pots, bowls and everything else in the kitchen, outlet coverings could be a good idea to ensure no water gets into the electrical work as well.

Keep the Kitchen Clean

Years of kitchen use leave crumbs and lint lingering behind appliances like ovens and fridges that can often go unnoticed until it’s too late. All of this left over food residue and dust in small spaces can clog vents and outlets until they heat up so much they catch fire. A thorough electrical inspection by a tech will be able to clear out any sediment that may be collecting beneath or behind your appliances. Not only is this a fire hazard, it also impedes efficient energy usage in your home when it has to work harder against the debris compared to when it is clear.

Here are a few more simple tips to do every day to keep your kitchen safe:

1. Check that appliance cords are in good shape and not ripped, if there are rips dispose of it accordingly.
2. Never try to repair an appliance when it is still plugged into the outlet.
3. Never try to get toast that is stuck out of a toaster while it is plugged in, especially with a metal knife or fork as there are often live parts inside the toaster.
4. Make sure you thoroughly clean your oven and stove to avoid a build-up of fat and grease that can ignite.
5. Don’t overload your electrical sockets with too many electrical appliances as this can lead to overheating or a power surge.
6. Avoid storing objects on top of appliances like the microwave to keep its ventilation clear.
7. Defrost your fridge and freezer at least once a year to ensure they are running properly.
8. Check your smoke detectors once a month, every month, around your home.

Mister Sparky’s top priority is safety and we want to make sure all of our customers have a safe and happy holiday season. If you are going to be hosting over the holidays, get an electrical inspection from one of our highly trained techs. We can ensure your home is running efficiently and the electrical wiring is safe to help give you peace of mind.