When it comes to keeping your home safe, few things are as important as electrical maintenance. Faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, or neglected systems can quietly put your family at risk.
By understanding electrical hazards at home, practicing basic electrical safety, and learning how to prevent electrical fires, you can create a safer environment while extending the life of your electrical systems.
Why Electrical Maintenance Matters
Many homeowners don’t think about their wiring until something goes wrong, like a sudden outage, flickering lights, or a burnt outlet. But regular maintenance isn’t just about fixing problems; it’s about preventing them before they turn dangerous.
Routine checks from a licensed electrician can:
- Detect hidden faults in wiring before they escalate
- Ensure your switchboard and safety switches are working properly
- Reduce the risk of fire caused by overheated cables
- Keep your appliances and devices running efficiently
Common Electrical Hazards at Home
Your home may have hidden risks you don’t notice every day. Some of the most common electrical hazards at home include:
- Overloaded power boards and extension cords
- Old, frayed, or damaged wiring
- Exposed outlets within reach of children
- Appliances left plugged in near water sources
- Lack of working smoke detectors or safety switches
These issues may seem minor, but they can easily spark electrical fires or cause electric shocks.
Electrical Safety at Home: Tips You Can Follow
While professional inspections are essential, there are basic electrical safety practices every homeowner should follow:
- Don’t overload outlets - Spread out appliances across multiple sockets.
- Unplug when not in use - Reduce risks of overheating and save energy.
- Keep cords tidy and intact - Replace damaged cords immediately.
- Install RCDs (Residual Current Devices) - They automatically cut off power in case of faults.
- Avoid mixing water and electricity - Keep appliances and outlets away from sinks, baths, and outdoor weather exposure.
How to Prevent Electrical Fires
Electrical fires often start silently, behind walls or inside faulty outlets. To protect your home, focus on these proactive steps:
- Book regular electrical maintenance - Annual checks by qualified electricians help identify overheating wires and faulty circuits.
- Upgrade outdated systems - Old fuse boxes and switchboards should be replaced with modern safety switches.
- Install smoke alarms - Ensure they’re functional and placed in key areas of your home.
- Watch for warning signs - Burning smells, sparks, or frequently tripped breakers mean it’s time to call a professional.
Your Trusted Partner in Home Electrical Care
Trying to keep up with your home’s electrical maintenance on your own can be stressful, and sometimes dangerous. That’s why it’s best to leave it to the experts.
For more than 70 years, Grammar Electrical has been the trusted choice for Auckland homeowners, providing reliable inspections, repairs, and preventive solutions that keep families safe. Our team of residential electricians is on call 24/7, ready to handle everything from switchboard upgrades and safety switch testing to complete electrical maintenance checks.
We take the guesswork out of electrical safety, ensuring every job is done right, to the highest standards. Call us today at 09 884 6611 or book online to save $15 on your next service.
Got a question?
Contact us for a FREE installation quote or book your job online today.
Same Day Service Guarantee - Terms & Conditions
The "Same Day Service Guarantee or it's Free" applies to:
a. Residential work and Commercial only.
b. Jobs specified as needing same day service when booking a job by phone or online.
c. Residential and Commercial work booked with Grammar Electrical:
i) Before 11:00AM
ii) For calls or online bookings received after 11:00AM, the customer will be offered a job. Booking for the next business day and normal callout fees ($170+ GST) will apply.
iii) Any other jobs booked outside business hours (9:00AM - 5:00PM Monday- Friday) will incur after hours charges.
iv) This offer is excluded for jobs booked on New Zealand public holidays.
d. If Grammar Electrical are unable to attend on the same day (within 24 hours) for a job booked by the customer, the standard callout fee of $170 + GST will be waived and is free, but all other normal charges, fees and expenses will apply to perform the Electrical Services and to provide any products/materials concerning those services.
e. The Standard Callout Fee will be deducted from your bill as long as you pay within your invoice's due date. The callout charge is applicable if your invoice is overdue.
f. If Grammar Electrical are willing and able to perform the Service or provide the Goods on the same day the job is booked, however the Customer for whatever reason does not give access to their property on the day, Grammar Electrical will be deemed to have complied with it's "Same Day or it's Free" guarantee and shall be entitled to charge the customer the standard call-out fee.
g. This offer is not a guarantee of work being completed. The completion of the job will depend on stock availability and also the amount of work required.