Electricians can improve a home in many ways and install security and automation systems. However, they can also deal with the basics, checking that your home is safe and that everything is running as it should. Here are several ways they can help with safety.

Signs of Problems  

An electrician can check the system if you detect signs of problems. For example, you may notice scorch marks or a burning smell coming from a socket. Other signs to watch out for include buzzing noises and dimming lights. Sometimes a household electrical system is overloaded, which may be the case when multiple power boards and extension cords are used. The circuitry of an older house is often set up for the electricity usage of decades past. If that's the case, the electrician can modernise the system. They may include more outlets, so you don't need power boards and extension cords anymore. These makeshift options can cause people to trip as well.

Safety Switches

An electrician can also check and fix the safety switches in the switchboard and at the power points. Safety switches, also called residual current devices, monitor the electricity going in and out of the wires. If someone in your home uses a faulty appliance, the current can escape the wiring and enter the appliance. The job of the safety switch is to react instantly and cut the supply before anyone gets electrocuted.

You can test a safety switch by pressing the test button, and it should cut electricity to the protected circuitry. If it doesn't do that, it may be faulty. An electrician can determine what the problem is and fix it.

Old Wiring

If you live in an old house that hasn't been inspected for many years because no problems have arisen, it may be worthwhile to have an electrician check the system regardless. Different metals were used for wires in the past than the safer options used today. Plus, the insulation of old wires can fray and wear away, and you can't see this happening inside the walls.

An electrician can check whether everything is safe and explain what improvements may be needed, if any. While you may not want to pay for an upgrade, it will be cheaper than a house fire! This is a possibility if an electrical system is outdated, worn out and overloaded with too many devices and appliances running at the same time.

To find out more, contact an electrician today.