Gary Houston Electric has proudly offered trusted residential electrical services in Little Rock since 1978, and we’re available 24 hours a day in the event of an electrical emergency. But electrical safety is no accident, and a little prevention goes a long way! Older homes often need a few electrical upgrades to meet today’s safety standards, but the good news is that they’re typically more affordable than you think. Be sure to include us in your household renovation plans, and we’ll help you stay within budget and ensure that the work is done right!

Your household wiring should be inspected at least every 25 years, or sooner if your lights flicker, your circuit breakers trip frequently, or if you see smoke or detect any unusual burning smells emanating from your electrical outlets. Our team of licensed electricians will make specific safety recommendations and perform necessary upgrades, and we also love helping our customers find ways to lower their energy bills! Here are a few easy ways to make your home safer for your family, and we’re always a phone call away when you have questions or if you’d like to schedule an in-home consultation!

Avoid overloading electrical outlets—Plugging too many devices into one outlet can overload the circuit and increase the risk of fire. Distribute devices across multiple outlets whenever possible, and ensure that your power strips have built-in surge protection. We can help you replace outdated two-prong outlets with grounded outlets, and we can also install additional outlets with surge protection and USB ports in high-traffic areas.

Test your GFCI outlets every month—Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) help prevent electric shock in areas where moisture is common, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoors. Test them monthly by pressing the “test” button and resetting tripped outlets if necessary.

Teach your children the importance of electrical safety—If you have toddlers in your home, outlet covers offer protection from exploring fingers. It’s never too early to teach children about the dangers of inserting objects into outlets, and once they begin using electronic devices, you’ll want to ensure they know how to safely plug them in when they need to be recharged.

If you have questions or want to schedule service, contact us online or at 501-375-8330.Be sure to also ask for a free estimate for a KOHLER emergency generator!