Electrical Safety
Stay safe at home.
1. Test smoke alarms
Press button monthly. Replace batteries yearly. Replace alarms every 10 years.
2. CO detectors
One per floor. Cheap insurance against carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. Smart plugs
$15 each. Phone alerts if fire risk detected. Auto-shutoff for forgotten irons.
4. Surge protectors
$25 each. Protect TVs and computers from lightning strikes.
5. Ground-fault outlets
Required in kitchens, bathrooms. Trip if water gets in.
6. Old houses
Pre-1970 homes may have aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring. Get inspected.
Free home safety checks from your fire department. Schedule once a year.