Be Careful Of Electrical D.I.Y.

Each year, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents, electrocution in their own homes.

Many homeowners will look at some electrical tasks and say “that looks easy, I can do that!” Not to mention the possibility that may come when you find out the electrical installation is more expensive that the item you are installing.

However, most do not have the training or experience needed to safely perform electrical work, increasing the risk of immediate injuries and electrocutions and potentially introducing new dangers into the home. Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care, and cutting corners can be a costly mistake.

Check Out These Surprising D.I.Y. Facts and Statistics

There is an estimated average of 70 electrocution fatalities associated with consumer products per year.
The most recent data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that there are nearly 400 electrocutions in the United States each year.
Approximately 15 percent of electrocutions are related to consumer products. Wiring hazards, including damaged or exposed wiring and household wiring, accounted for nearly 14 percent of these deaths.
An estimated 360,900 residential building fires are reported to United States fire departments each year and caused an estimated 2,495 deaths, 13,250 injuries and $7 billion in property losses. The leading cause of the largest fires was electrical malfunction.
There are about 37,000 nail-gun injuries each year; a 200% increase since 1991.
Electrical failure accounted for 89 percent of electrical fires in residential buildings

D.I.Y. Safety Tips

We always recommend hiring a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home. However, if you do decide to do-it-yourself, consider the following important safety tips before undertaking any home electrical project:

Make an effort to learn about your home electrical system so that you can safely navigate and maintain it.
Never attempt a project that is beyond your skill level. Knowing when to call a professional may help prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Always turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit breaker in the main service panel.
Be sure to unplug any lamp or appliance before working on it.
Test the wires before you touch them to make sure that the power has been turned off.
Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when performing a do-it-yourself electrical project.

Remember we are always here to help!

If have a question or an electrical problem that we can help with click here to request a quote or give us a call. We are on hand for all your electrical installation and repair needs.