General Electrical

4 Signs It’s Time to Upgrade Your Outlets

Safe electrical outlets are a huge part of maintaining a safe home. While the majority of your home’s electricity exists inside your walls and appliances, your outlets are the place where you come into the closest contact with it. Even though there’s never a completely fool-proof solution when it comes to electrical safety, there are certainly some steps you can take to improve the safety of your outlets.

When you upgrade your outlets, you can prevent electrical-related injuries in your home and keep yourself and your family safe from shock. If you’re not sure whether or not your outlets are in need of an update, take a look at the following list to determine if the outlets in your home need to be replaced. Signs that your outlets are outdated include:

Outlet

  1. Your outlets don’t have 3 prongs

If most of your outlets are only suitable for two-pronged plugs, this typically means that they are not grounded.  A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet is designed to improve the safety of your electrical outlets because they will shut off before a shock can occur. This type of outlet is especially important in bathrooms, kitchens, or other spaces where electricity and water are in close proximity because the risk of serious electrocution increases dramatically when electricity and water are mixed. Luckily, GFCI outlets are inexpensive and could save your life.

  1. Plugs fall out of your outlets

If you find that your plugs no longer seem to fit securely in your outlet, it may be a sign of fatigue in the internal workings of the electrical outlet. If plugs only stay halfway inside the outlet, it could become a serious fire hazard in your home. Replacing any outlets that no longer hold plugs securely is an easy fix that could prevent an electrical fire in your home.

  1. Outlets aren’t tamper resistant

A tamper-resistant outlet features a mechanism that covers the openings of the electrical socket and only opens when pressure is applied equally to each slot of the outlet. This feature is especially important for homes with small children because it prevents them from inserting objects into the electrical socket.

  1. Cracked or damaged outlet covers

Even though the cover is not an integral part of an outlet’s functionality, damage on the outside of the outlet could be a sign of damage to the inside of the outlet. By replacing any outlets that show signs of wear, you can address electrical problems before they arise.

If the electrical outlets in your home match any of the descriptions above, it might be time to call Mister Sparky® of Richmond. Our team of experienced technicians is trained to handle electrical issues safely and effectively. By hiring an electrician to replace the outdated outlets in your home, you can rest assured that common electrical hazards won’t affect you or your family.