Electrical Extension Cord Safety

May 10

As Phoenix home inspectors, we often think about electrical safety. The general public, conversely, probably uses electrical extension cords without giving them much thought. Did you know that accidents from extension cords kill around 50 people annually, injure another 4,000 and cause several thousand household fires? Perhaps we should all brush up on the rules for using extension cords.

The first set of rules are that extension cords are only to be used for providing temporary power. They are not to be installed in a permanent application as a substitute for structure wiring. Beyond that, they may not be run through holes in walls, ceilings or floors. They should not be run through windows or doors unless protected from damage and they may not be attached to the building or concealed within building cavities.

Next, you need to select the proper sized extension cord. Using the American Wire Gauge (AWG) system you will discover that the lower the wire gauge number, the more capacity the extension cord has (and the thicker the cord is). A house is commonly wired with a combination of 12 gauge and 14 gauge wires in the walls for receptacles. The 12 gauge wire can safely carry 20 amps and the 14 gauge wire can safely carry 15 amps. When using an extension cord for light duty applications you can often safely use wires with a higher AWG number than if you are powering appliances or power tools. To be safe, add up the entire connected load in amps and be sure that it falls below the capacity of the wire.

Finally, if your use for the extension cord is outdoors, be sure the cord is rated for outdoor applications. The extension cord should be specifically marked if it is approved for outdoor use. Also, always use the shortest length cord that will work for the application to prevent overheating of the extension cord.

We hope you find this information valuable - from your friends at Advantage Inspection Service in Phoenix, helping to keep you safe this year and for years to come.

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Electrical Hazards

Jun 02

Messed up tree wiring, improper cabling and burned equipment are just a few of electrical hazards we’ve found.

Follow this link to see even more electrical hazards caught on camera via our website!

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Phoenix Home Inspector Finds New Home Hazard

Apr 21

Do you know what kind of hazards are hiding around your potential home? The above picture shows a diconnected flue in the attic which is a fire hazard. Things like this are the greatest argument for performing a home inspection.

Read the rest of article on our website.

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Holiday Home Safety Tips

Dec 28

The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire and accidents. InterNACHI recommends that you follow these guidelines to help make your holiday season safer and more enjoyable.

Holiday Lighting

Use caution with holiday decorations and, whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials.
Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings, and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. If you have any questions about electrical safety, ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next scheduled inspection. Do not overload extension cords.
Don’t mount lights in any way that can damage the cord’s wire insulation. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples–don’t use nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

Decorations

Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel and artificial icicles of plastic and non-leaded metals.
Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp and breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children.
Avoid trimmings that resemble candy and food that may tempt a young child to put them in his mouth.

Holiday Entertaining

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet).
Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.

Trees

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “fire-resistant.”
When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break.
When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Make sure the base is steady so the tree won’t tip over easily.

Fireplaces

Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
Use care with “fire salts,” which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten.
Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

Toys and Ornaments

Purchase appropriate toys for the appropriate age. Some toys designed for older children might be dangerous for younger children.
Electric toys should be UL/FM approved.
Toys with sharp points, sharp edges, strings, cords, and parts small enough to be swallowed should not be given to small children.
Place older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint out of the reach of small children and pets.

Children and Pets

Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach, or avoid having them.
Keep decorations at least 6 inches above the child’s reach.
Avoid using tinsel. It can fall on the floor and a curious child or pet may eat it. This can cause anything from mild distress to death.
Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches. A child could wrap a longer strand of ribbon around their neck and choke.
Avoid mittens with strings for children. The string can get tangled around the child’s neck and cause them to choke. It is easier to replace a mitten than a child.
Watch children and pets around space heaters or the fireplace. Do not leave a child or pet unattended.
Store scissors and any sharp objects that you use to wrap presents out of your child’s reach.
Inspect wrapped gifts for small decorations, such as candy canes, gingerbread men, and mistletoe berries, all of which are choking hazards.

Security

Use your home burglar alarm system.
If you plan to travel for the holidays, don’t discuss your plans with strangers.
Have a trusted friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home.

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How to Conduct a Fire Alarm Inspection

Dec 09

Having fire alarms in your home is a great way to safeguard the safety of you and your loved ones. Along with installing the fire alarms, there is also the need to make sure you conduct a fire alarm inspection periodically. Here are a few things to make sure you check on a regular basis.

A crucial element in your fire alarm inspection is to make sure the batteries are in working order. Check the current level to make sure the battery is fully charged. Also check the terminals and terminal clamps to make sure they are clear of any type of rust or corrosion. You may want to clean them every now and then with a non-flammable solvent, to keep them in top condition. Change the batteries as needed, but certainly no less than once a year. Many manufacturers of fire alarm systems recommend that you change the battery at twice per calendar year.

In like manner, check the electrical connections that will be powering the units most of the time. Remember that the battery is there to kick in when the power is off for any reason, not as the first line of defense. As part of the fire alarm inspection, test the horns and strobes and make sure they are loud enough and function at full capacity. Should a fire break out, you want both the sound and the revolving lights to be enough to attract the attention of all occupants within the dwelling. Also make sure the automatic shift from electrical power to the battery backup is working seamlessly.

Fire alarm systems are made to not only detect the heat from a fire, but also smoke. This valuable feature could buy you and your loved ones extra seconds or even minutes that allow you to escape from the house. As a part of your fire alarm inspection, direct smoke at the units, making sure they sound at the slightest hint of smoke.

If your fire alarm system includes a display panel, include a check of the panel as part of your fire alarm inspection. Make sure the panel is functioning properly and can be used by any fire fighters that need to enter the home with the intent of containing the fire.

Investing in a fire alarm system is smart. Making sure you conduct a fire alarm inspection on a regular basis is even smarter. Sit down with your family and plan out periodic inspections throughout the year. All of you will sleep better knowing your fire alarm system is functionally at full capacity.

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