Most electrical fires and shocks are preventable. Here are eight practical habits every NJ homeowner should know — straight from licensed electricians who've seen what goes wrong.
1. Test Your GFCI Outlets Monthly
Push the "Test" button on every GFCI outlet in your kitchen, bathrooms, garage, and outdoors. If pressing "Reset" doesn't restore power, the outlet needs to be replaced. A GFCI that doesn't trip isn't protecting you.
2. Never Ignore a Tripping Breaker
A breaker that trips occasionally on a heavily loaded circuit is normal. A breaker that trips repeatedly for no obvious reason is telling you something is wrong — overloaded wiring, a failing breaker, or a fault in the circuit. Call an electrician before something worse happens.
3. Don't Daisy-Chain Power Strips
Plugging a power strip into another power strip overloads the outlet and creates a fire hazard. If you don't have enough outlets, have a licensed electrician add them properly.
4. Check Your Panel for Warning Signs
Warm breakers, burning smells, scorch marks, or breakers that won't stay reset are serious warning signs. If you see any of these, don't wait — call an electrician same day.
5. Replace Two-Prong Outlets in Older Homes
Ungrounded two-prong outlets don't protect against surges or faults. If your NJ home was built before 1970, there's a good chance you have them. Replacing them with GFCI-protected three-prong outlets is code-compliant and significantly safer.
6. Keep Your Electric Panel Accessible
Never store things in front of your electrical panel. In an emergency, you need to reach that panel within seconds. Clear the area and keep it clear.
7. Use the Right Light Bulb Wattage
Installing a bulb with higher wattage than a fixture is rated for causes heat buildup and can start a fire inside the fixture or ceiling. Check the fixture label — it's usually stamped inside the socket housing.
8. Get a Home Electrical Inspection Before Buying
General home inspectors often miss electrical issues. A licensed electrician inspection before buying gives you a complete picture of the panel condition, wiring age, grounding, and code compliance — and serious leverage in negotiations if problems are found.
Questions about your home's electrical safety? Contact us for a diagnostic visit or call 1-855-55VOLTS.