Bathrooms Require Special Care
Bathrooms combine electricity and water, which makes electrical safety particularly important.
Keep appliances such as hair dryers and styling tools away from sinks, bathtubs, and wet surfaces when not specifically designed for such use.
Never use damaged electrical equipment around water.
If a bathroom outlet looks damaged, feels warm, sparks, or behaves strangely, stop using it and have it evaluated.
Ground-fault protection is an important safety feature in locations where electrical equipment may be exposed to water. The precise requirements vary according to local codes and the age and design of the home.
A professional can determine whether your installation meets applicable requirements.
Don’t Ignore the Circuit Breaker Panel
The electrical panel is one area where homeowners should be particularly cautious.
You can look at the panel from the outside and note whether breakers are repeatedly tripping, but you shouldn’t remove covers or attempt internal repairs unless you are properly qualified.
Repeatedly tripping breakers are not simply an inconvenience.
A breaker is designed to interrupt electrical flow under certain abnormal conditions. If a breaker trips repeatedly, don’t simply keep resetting it indefinitely.
Instead, unplug or turn off the equipment involved if it can be done safely and seek professional advice.
