Fixing things around the house is what you do when you own a home. You probably enjoy taking matters into your own hands and fixing the little things. It is gives you a sense of pride when you look at a project you took on and finished it. You can say you fixed that or you built that. There are some projects that are too big for you to possibly handle yourself so you call a contractor in the business who can paint the exterior of your home, install new cabinets or take care of some of the landscaping issues. This too is a part of home ownership—knowing when to call for help. Electrical repair on new installation of fixtures and appliances is also best left to a qualified electrician like those at The Electric Connection.

It isn’t about pride. It is all about safety. Handling electricity is dangerous and you should never attempt it unless you have adequate training, like an electrician certified in the state of California. There are some dangers associated with electrical repair work in the home.

*Completing work yourself without the proper licensing could void your homeowner’s insurance policy. If there were an incident, you may not be covered.

*The risk of electrocution is very high when you are not familiar with wiring basics. You risk severe injury or even death.

*It will end up costing you more money to fix a mistake that was made in a DIY situation.

*You risk violating city codes and having to pay a fine, tearing out everything that was done and hiring a licensed electrician to complete the work.

*Fire is another real possibility when you undertake your own electrical repairs. The fire may not start right away, but it is a silent threat that can and will strike without warning.

Your home and your safety are worth spending the extra money to hire a professional. Don’t put your life at risk or risk the lives of your family members because you think you are going to save a few dollars. You won’t. Call The Electric Connection today and let us help you safely take care of any electrical work in your house.

We all use electricity so much in our daily lives that it has become something we take for granted, but while electricity may be such a useful tool, it is worth keeping an eye on your electrical fixtures and fittings for any signs of potential dangers.

Most people will admit that they rarely check the condition of their plugs, cables, or sockets and will normally leave it to their electricians whenever they visit. To follow safety guidelines, it is recommended that all equipment be used correctly according to the manufacturer’s directions and any damaged items be repaired or replaced with new ones. You can look out for a few things to ensure your family stays safe from electrical fires or electrocution.

Always check plugs and sockets for any sounds such as buzzing or crackling; you should look out for burn marks as well. Other things you can do include checking electrical appliances such as electric shavers, radios, or hairdryers that are being used near damp or wet environments or structures such as baths, showers, and swimming pools.

Check your home for any switches with too many appliances plugged into them and replace any damaged cables immediately. You can also protect yourself by making sure that you only use plugs with a standard safety mark.

The best thing you can do to help keep you and your family safe is to know where your home’s safety switch is located. If you cannot find it, ask your electrician to show you the next time he pays you a visit.

In case of an emergency, or if there happens to be faulty or damaged wiring in your home, you can use the safety switch to cut off the power to prevent anyone from being electrocuted. Remember that any repairs that may need to be done will require a qualified electrician. Always use one you know and trust.

1-An extension cord is a temporary fix. It isn’t meant to become a permanent outlet. If you need more outlets, call an electrician. Santa Monica homeowners can request to have additional outlets installed around the home, inside and out.

2-Do not run the cords across main pathways in or out of the house. Not only do they pose tripping hazards, but they will also wear down. An exposed wire is an electrocution or electric short and fire waiting to happen. Run the cords along a wall. If it must cross a pathway, use a cord protector to keep it from being directly stepped on.

3-Do not plug several extension cords in together to reach an area. Buy the right cord for your needs from the very start.

4-Your Santa Monica electrician reiterates the need to use outdoor extension cords for outdoor use. Don’t use a flat cord that is designed for indoor use in the outdoors. They are simply not built to withstand the elements and you risk an electric shock or the device shorting out and potentially starting a fire.

Extension cords are handy to have around in a pinch, but make sure you use them correctly and follow these safety tips. Give The Electric Connection a call if you would like a more permanent fix to your electrical needs.