Electrical problems are a common cause of fires in the home – but they don’t have to be.

An average of nearly 48,000 U.S. house fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction are reported annually. The result: roughly 450 civilian deaths, 1,500 civilian injuries, and $1.5 billion in property damage.

About half of these fires involve electrical distribution or lighting equipment. The remainder are caused by equipment like fans, washers, dryers, space heaters, and air conditioners.

If you live in an older home, you know they’re often filled with quirky attributes – some of them not so charming. Case in point: many older homes have electrical problems that aren’t just annoying, they’re downright dangerous.

Sometimes it’s OK to rely on our own gumption to save money. But if you think you’re in over your head – you probably are. Sometimes you have to decide between saving a few bucks and possibly saving a life.

The holidays are a time for joy and family. People think of decorations, good times, great food and special visits from those far away. Before you go all out on this year’s holiday display, treat yourself to a few safety tips about how to protect your home and family this holiday season.

When you think of power surges, you think of storms. Although a lightning strike near your home can be catastrophic for your gadgets, power surges can originate from within your home, too. Faulty wiring or something simple like the AC unit or fridge turning on can trigger a surge. Before you try to save $15 on a surge protector to keep your electronics safe, consider these tips.

If you’re a first-time home owner or are moving into a new home, you need to familiarize yourself with the electrical system. This should be part of the introduction to your new home, not an afterthought after you’ve moved in all the furniture, filled shadows with lamps, and designated that back room with one outlet as your home office. Here’s the tour you should take, preferably with a home electrician you trust:

Modern lighting has come a long way from one light over the kitchen table and a lamp by the recliner in the living room. Today’s families want to be able to entertain guests and enjoy a relaxing escape from the outside world. Here are some tips and a few mistakes to avoid when you improve your home lighting.

There’s a prominent display right now in your neighborhood of electricity’s power and the advances in technology it has inspired. It’s back to school time and yesterday’s #2 pencil has given way to this generation’s tablets and smart phones. As the demand for energy increases, the future of electricity becomes more entwined with the prospects of our own. Here are some factors that will affect the generations to come.

Hot summers bring an onslaught of recommendations on ways to reduce your electric bill. But a lot of these tips are expensive, labor intensive or just don’t have any real world practical applications. Here is the real deal from the best electrical contractors in Arkansas on a strategy to save your money this summer.

Homeowners are inundated with the dangers of space heaters and tales of fiery Christmas light disasters. But when winter passes and the air conditioners come on, you need to be aware that summer presents its own electrical safety concerns. Here are some tips to keep your family safe and enjoy all the fun that summer offers.

The quality of your electrical system directly impacts the value, comfort, and safety of your home. It’s important to be able to trust it because of all the time you spend inside your home and even more important for those times you are away. Here are some tips you can use as a homeowner to improve your residential wiring and avoid costly and dangerous mishaps.