If you’ve never visited the DIY, home renovation blog Young House Love, you’re in for a treat. John and Sherry, bloggers extraordinaire, are renovating their home step-by-step, giving their readers a detailed look into the process. Every day they have some new clever project to write about. (And the way they tell stories gets addictive, quick).

The blog has a ton of posts on home lighting, some technical, some crazy and fun. Today, I thought I’d share with you my 3 favorite DIY lighting projects from Young House Love:

Smoke detectors are wonderful devices. They save homes and property, prevent countless fire-related deaths, and alert people to potential fires before they are out of control. In fact, these alarms are so invaluable, many insurers offer discounts on homeowners coverage for homes equipped with working smoke detectors.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 30,000 non-fatal shock accidents happen every year. Electrical shock is relatively easy to prevent if you know what to look for and what to avoid. With some basic knowledge and safety training, you won’t become a statistic. Read some of our quick tips below to find out how you can protect yourself and others from accidentally receiving an electrical shock.

Wall plates and light switch covers are not just there to make sockets look better–they keep debris out of the sockets and shield fingers from exposed wires. Never stick your hands or a metal utensil into a wall socket; the currents from an electrical shock can cause injury or even death.

Educate yourself on how the fuses, circuit breakers, and wires are set up in your home. This simple step can prevent injury and also allow you to know the limits on where you can plug in powerful tools and appliances. In addition, it can be helpful to match light bulbs’ wattage to your lamps. You can usually see the recommended maximum wattage printed around the light bulb socket. It’s wise to use light bulbs with equal or lesser wattage so you don’t overload the lamp wiring. It’s also good to know if your house is wired with aluminum or copper wiring, because these metals handle heat differently.

Any electrical equipment that sparks, gives out small shocks, frequently short circuits, or has frayed wires is not safe to use and may need to be fixed or replaced. If any wires are sticking out from the wall, don’t tamper with them. Have an electrician inspect the wires first, especially if they appear damaged.

When storing cords, don’t let them twist or get into haphazard knots or else they may tear. Tuck them away somewhere that small children can’t find them and pets can’t chew on them. Many hardware stores sell cord organizers to make this easy for you.

Try to avoid having too many heavy appliances plugged in and running from the same outlets or power strips. This can lead to overheating, a blown fuse, or an electrical fire. Use extension cords sparingly and try to limit their use to temporary arrangements when doing work around the house. If you’re constantly in need of extension cords, you might be better off just having another outlet installed.

Never leave electrical appliances somewhere they can easily fall into sinks or bathtubs. If an appliance accidentally falls into the water while plugged in, turn off the power to that circuit before you remove the object from the water. Then let the appliance fully dry and ask an electrician if it’s still acceptable to use. Store outdoor electrical appliances in a dry place where they are safe from rain, hoses, or swimming pools.

If you are working with electricity around the house, turn off all appropriate power sources and wear protective gloves and/or boots. Remove any metal jewelry and don’t wear clothing that could get caught on a wire. If you’re the one doing the work, do not assume that someone else has turned off the power sources. Always double check for yourself for your own safety.

Don’t hesitate to call a professional with questions if an electrical job is intricate or beyond your scope. A tiny mistake can lead to serious consequences, so hire a licensed electrician for any complicated or dangerous jobs.

As you lay in bed at night, with the doors locked, the alarm set and your security lights on, you probably feel relatively safe. You should. These are all things we do to give us a little extra protection when we are at home. Even with all of these safeguards, there are other dangers lurking. These dangers are not so obvious and are very well hidden behind the walls of the home. These electrical hazards sneak up with little warning. The team at The Electric Connection wants you to be safe at home and can help you identify the hazards before they become serious problems. All it takes is about an hour long electrical safety inspection and your due diligence.

An electrical outlet is used and abused pretty often. Every time you plug something in, you are applying pressure to the outlet and the box behind it. When you unplug something, you often have to wiggle it. Although you should never yank a plug out, it does happen. Each of these actions can cause the wires that are bringing electricity to the outlet to loosen. Your California electrician explains that over time, the loose wires can arc and cause sparks. The insulation surrounding the electrical boxes can ignite, causing a home fire.

Fortunately, there are often some signs to look for to let you know that something isn’t quite right with your outlets. Pay attention and at the first sign of trouble, call your electrician in southern California. A quick inspection and a tightening of wires or a replacement of the outlet can fix the problem. An electrical inspection can help you identify other potential hazards and give you the chance to fix them before they become a serious issue. Give The Electric Connection a call today and schedule your inspection so you can sleep even better at night knowing your family is that much safer.