Electrical Repairs

Inspect your home thoroughly for hidden electrical hazards and take the necessary steps to make fire-safe repairs. Electrical work should be done only by a qualified professional. Look for the following things:

• Discolored or warm wall outlets or switches.


• Burning or rubber smell coming from appliances.


• Know how to turn off your electricity.


• Make sure that all receptacle outlets and switches have faceplates.

Tips for NFPA:

• Have your home electrical system inspected by a qualified private inspector or in accordance with local requirements when buying, selling, or renovating a home.


• If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips often, find out why and get the problem corrected before turning the breaker back on or replacing the fuse. Have a qualified electrician inspect and fix it.


• Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit snugly or the wall outlet does not accept plugs with one blade larger than the other.


 

Call a qualified electrician if you have any of the following:

• Recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers.


• A tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance.


• Discolored or warm wall outlets or switches.


• A burning smell or rubbery odor comes from an appliance.


• Flickering lights.


• Sparks from a wall outlet.


• Cracked or broken wall outlets.