Blog Post

Electrical Safety In Your Home

  • 04 Sep, 2018

Electrical safety is a major issue. Even though electrical problems are far from the first cause of residential fires (cooking causes the most fires resulting in injuries), these fires still happen. On top of that, 6.8% of home electrical fires end up in human injury, according to FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration. This makes preventing them a top priority.

Luckily, you can take several steps to keep your home safe. While accidents can happen, they don't have to be the norm. Between some basic knowledge and regular maintenance from a qualified electrician, you can reduce the risk to yourself, your family and your property.

How can you help to keep your house safe — electrically speaking? Start with some education. Keep in mind, you don't need to go to technical school or take electrical lessons. Leave the repairs and maintenance to the pros. Instead, take a look at what you should watch out for, avoid and call the experts to fix.

Electrical Cords

That worn extension cord that you've had for years isn't looking right. It's starting to fray and you can see in through the outer-coating. Damaged cords can lead to electrical issues. Never use a cord that has clear signs of wear. And certainly, never use a cord that has a hole, cut or chunk missing from it.

Along with checking for wear, you should take caution with some of the ways that you use extension cords. Extension cords aren't substitutes for permanent wiring. While it's tempting to rig up your own system to save money or time, it can cost you more than a few dollars in the long-run. You need a professional electrical contractor to replace or install wiring, and not a simple cord.

Make sure that your cord and your appliance (or whatever else you're using the cord for) match when it comes to wattage rating. If you aren't sure, ask a pro instead of assuming it's okay.

Outlet Safety

Obviously, you know not to touch an electrical outlet. But that's not the only safety measure you should take around them. How else can you protect your house and yourself from outlet issues? Never overload an outlet. Plugging multiple cords into power strips or other multi-plug devices could overload the outlet.

Chances are you've run into an issue at some point in time where you have a mismatch between the outlet and the number of prongs on the plug. Never remove a prong to fit what should be a three-pronged plug into an outlet that's made for two. There's a reason why it only has two little slots in it. Either choose an appropriate adapter or have an electrician replace the outlet.

Water and Electricity

You can save yourself a shock by separating water and electrical use. This means choosing somewhere other than the clogged sink to blow dry your hair and keeping the radio out of the bathroom.

Avoid making similar mistakes outdoors as well. Don't plug outdoor appliances or devices in near sprinklers or during rain storms.

Outdoor Activities

Rain and sprinkler systems aren't the only issues when it comes to electricity and the great outdoors. Be aware of electrical lines that are buried underground. If you're planning on digging in your yard, call in the pros to help you locate lines first. You don't want to hit a barely buried line with the garden hoe as you’re tilling the dirt for your new garden.

Do you have a possible electrical safety issue in or around your home? Never try to repair or replace any part of your electrical system on your home. Payne Electric Co. can help to resolve the issue in a safe way.

By Admin September 4, 2018
A generator must be available in case of serious emergencies. This means that it needs to be in good working order at all times to be able to function at a moment’s notice even if it has not been used in years. Regular maintenance on a generator can result in the difference between life and death in the situations where it is suddenly needed.
By Admin September 4, 2018

Your yard is an investment that can pay dividends in several ways. Not only does it provide a haven for family and friends to play and socialize in, but it also can add attraction for potential buyers. One way to enhance your investment and get even more out of your yard now and in the future is to install landscape lighting.

If you spend a lot of time outside, then landscape lighting is a no-brainer. Why not extend the amount of time you can be out in your yard adding illumination? Here are some of the

By Admin September 4, 2018

Did you know that presence of electrical faults is among the top five causes of residential fires? When your life, your family, your home and all you hold dear is on the line, get a professional for any electrical service you require!

Payne Electrical Co. has been providing excellent customer care and professional electric service to businesses and homes in Kentucky and Indiana since 1953. We want to earn your trust and to take care of your needs as well.

We provide residential electrical services such as any repairs you might need, rewires, breaker upgrades, and lighting for your yard, and much more. Do you have any iffy outlets? Do not risk it; get them fixed by a professional. Need to upgrade your old fuse box to a breaker panel? Call us! Look, when it comes to electrical work, you need a certified professional to do the work for your home the right way.

We also provide electrical tie-ins for room additions or remodels, and we can wire throughout the home for computer cabling. Do you live in a storm-prone area? We can ground your entire house to prevent damage to your electronics from lightning strikes. Contact Payne Electrical Co. and ensure your safety with our team!

By Admin September 4, 2018

Owning your own home means embracing a world of new responsibilities that may sometimes be surprising or difficult to understand. If you don't have experience in dealing with a specific problem, you might know about important warning signs which can highlight a potential issue. Your electrical wiring likely falls into this category.

Making sure that your home keeps up with industry standards can seem like a real challenge, but if you take the time to learn about how your home functions, that challenge is likely to drop off. If you identify electrical issues before they compound, you can guarantee that you're not at risk of untimely or dangerous breakdowns.

Below, you'll find a guide to some warning signs that your home may display when your electrical wiring needs to be replaced. Awareness of these signs is the first important step in responding to them, and that response is absolutely essential for allowing you to remain safe and secure.

By Admin September 4, 2018

The lights are flickering. They aren't going off completely, and they aren't flickering 100 percent of the time. But something is definitely going on with them. Flickering lights aren't normal. Even though they may not seem like a big deal, it's possible that you're witnessing a symptom of something serious. The problem here is that you don't know why they're flickering or what to do about it.

Taking a wait-and-watch approach may seem like a money-saving option, but it may cause your electric system excess damage in the long-run. Understanding the causes behind this electrical issue is the first step to getting help. While you might not be able to pinpoint the exact cause, having some ideas of what the culprit is can make a conversation with your electric contractor easier.

What causes a home's light to flicker off and on? Take a look at some of the most common culprits behind this electrical issue.

September 4, 2018

Family game night is a general term for an event in which a group of family members or friends gather together to enjoy all types of games. Not only is the game selection important, but it's also important to have the proper lighting for the game you're playing.

An electrician has the tools, experience, and equipment to help set up your home for dozens of different games. Browse through each game type to see how improved lighting can help you and your guest enjoy the visuals, atmosphere, and experience of every game.

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