Our team at Gary Houston Electric is staffed with the most experienced and customer focused electricians in Arkansas, and we’re always a phone call away if you have an electrical emergency (Note: if you have a serious emergency that puts you or your family in immediate danger, be sure to leave the home and call 911 first).

The good news is that most electrical emergencies are preventable with a few basic precautions. We’re always happy to answer any questions, or schedule an onsite safety visit to make specific recommendations. We also offer a few basic tips that any homeowner can use right away:

Make sure all of your outlets are safe-Older homes often still have several older ungrounded two-prong outlets. Replacing the outlets is inexpensive, and a must for true peace of mind. Outlets in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as outdoor outlets need to be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets that will trip if exposed to water. If you have any non-functioning outlets or switches, you should have them checked out, particularly if they’re warm to the touch.

Be careful when using power strips-Home electronics use low wattage, and power strips are generally safe to use for entertainment centers and computers. But you should never plug high wattage devices such as space heaters or hair dryers into power strips. Remember also that some power strips offer surge protection, and some are merely line splitters.

Have your home wiring inspected-It’s recommended to have your home wiring inspected at least every 25 years, particularly if you own an older home. New wiring is more durable, better insulated, and safer than older wiring. Older wiring is susceptible to having its insulation get brittle and crack, and if you have a very old home, you want to make sure that any wiring with cloth insulation is replaced as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about electrical safety, or would like to schedule service, contact us online or at 501-375-8330.