Home ownership can sometimes feel like a never ending job. Between the yard work, house cleaning and maintenance, when do we actually get to enjoy our home? But, don't worry...  whether you are a DIY homeowner or if you prefer to hire a helping hand with these tasks, here is our list of five signs that your home is electrically safe:

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• Smoke Detectors - Smoke detectors are perhaps the most important safety device in your home. With well-maintained smoke detectors, the odds of your family surviving a house fire are greatly increased. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, from 2003-2006, 66% of house fire fatalities occurred in homes without working smoke detectors. If your smoke detectors are current (less than 10 years old), and you've replaced the batteries (within the last six months), and tested them (within the last thirty days), this is a sign that you are a good homeowner!

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• GFCI Protection  – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) protect people from electrical shock hazards and should be present in many areas of your home including: Bathrooms, Basement, Garage, Kitchen, Outdoors & Utility Rooms. This technology is often located at the first receptacle in the circuit and has a test and reset button located on them. GFCI protection can also be located in the electrical panel box with a GFCI breaker, which would have a test button on it as well. Remember to test monthly. Recently, self testing GFCI's have become a requirement for manufacturers. If your home was built in recent years it may have the self testing type.

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• AFCI Protection  – Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are used to prevent electrical fires. The flow of electricity through the air from one conductor to another is known as electrical arcing. Arcing can create visible flashes and even flames. Electrical arcing in a home is one of the leading causes for household fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year in the United States, over 47,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 400 deaths and over 1,500 injuries each year.The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 50% of these fires that occur each year can be prevented by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters. Like GFCI protection, AFCI protection can be located at the first outlet in the circuit or, the preferred method is to install AFCI breakers in the electrical panel box. Test your AFCI protection monthly for the following areas: kitchen, laundry areas, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sun rooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms and areas.

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• Surge Protection  – A Surge is a high voltage electrical event that travels through your AC power, Telephone and Cable lines, potentially damaging home electronics and appliances. Surge protection should be installed in stages. A whole house surge protection device can be installed in your main electrical panel, and supplementary surge protection devices should be used at individual appliances and electronics which need protection. ​

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• Regular Routine Maintenance – Like any other system, your electrical system needs periodic maintenance and visual inspections to keep it in prime operating condition. Expert Wire's electrical safety and savings plan, the Expert Club is designed to uncover, diagnose, and correct minor problems before they become costly or hazardous. While regular planned visual inspections is not a problem free guarantee, it is your best investment in the safe and reliable long term operation of your home's electrical power system. If you have regular routine maintenance planned for your home, this is a sign that you are a good homeowner!

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Get an Expert Electrician in the Delaware & Maryland beach areas.​

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Ready to get the quality service you deserve? Contact Expert Wire Electrical Services today! At Expert Wire our primary goal is to bring you electrical safety and quality service with total satisfaction. Remember, leave the wiring to the Experts and have a powerful day!