Exposed Wires are Risky Business
Electrical safety hazards in the home are far too common. Ignored exposed wires are one of the worst, and most widespread Electrical hazards in today’s homes. Our everyday device cords become worn out and end up with bare wires being exposed. Similarly, your home wiring system itself is not immune to this issue. Let’s discuss the risks we take when we don’t repair exposed wires throughout our home.
Electrical Devices
We all have at least one and that’s an understatement. Every electrical device comes with an electric cord, and if we’re honest, they’re not always the sturdiest. Overtime, a laptop cord will start to fray, usually near the ends of the cord where we put the most pressure. You or someone you know will experience this eventually, and odds are, the exposed wire will remain that way for some time. The most frequently asked questions we receive are:
- Is it dangerous?
- What Can I do about?
- Like what am I supposed to do?
- Do I have to replace It?
- Isn’t there anything that can be done to Fix it?
- How dangerous is it really?
Because people have successfully used an exposed electrical cord for long periods of time, the benefits have somehow managed to outweigh the risks. Differing from the common consensus, it’s actually a very serious Dangerous/Hazardous and risk of electric shock and Fire Hazard. An open wire may not send the appropriate power to a device. Not to mention, it’s not properly distributed. lead to exposed wires starting to burn out, heating up, arcing and starting an Electrical Fire at the damaged end. Plus result in higher than normal drawing of power, surges to make up for intervals of power/electricity loss getting to the appliance.
A high power surge could also lead to a blown fuse, Breaker tripping, or even worse, an electrical fire. Best practices include taking care of your cord, getting it repaired/replaced when fray, torn or damaged, and buying a new cord when necessary. Another worthy mention is never purchase or use a knock off cord, as they are generally never certified and Not up to the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
Home Wires
Exposed electrical wires in the skeleton of the home are a much higher fire risk than the above mentioned electrical devices. This is because they tend to be located around other wires, and lots of wood or other combustible materials. Sparks can fly without warning and out of sight. Regular home inspections are always a good idea for preventative maintenance. Similarly, if you’re buying an older home, an inspection done by a certified electrician could save you money and headaches down the road!
Electrical Tape is Not the Answer
Many keep electrical tape handy for cases just like this. However, this band-aid is not a viable solution. If there are bare electrical wires that are exposed, tape is not the answer and danger looms. In cases like these, where the protective casing is still intact, you may be in the clear. Having said that, replacing your extension cord or damaged Cables will help you sleep better at night, knowing that your Electrical Cables and Wires are safe and sound. If the tear gets worse, you may not even realize it, as it’s covered up in black tape. Don’t take the risk! If you have other exposed wires throughout the home, they can easily be fixed by a certified electrician. The stakes are too high in don’t take the gamble, get a professional to come in and ease your mind.
Pinched, torn, exposed, or ripped electrical wires should be fixed immediately, without hesitation. Compare it to driving a car with a leaking tire, leaking break cylinder, mediocre breaks. The risk is present, and very real! Don’t take the gamble!
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions regarding Exposed Wires:
Should I worry about Tangled Wires?
Worry, Yes! Be fearful. Fix, absolutely! Tangled wires are as much a fire hazard as exposed wires. In an extreme case, the danger doubles. Every device you plug into a socket is 120V of power. Imagine an extension cord with 5+ devices or appliances plugged in. That’s a lot of power in, one square footage. Alternatively, try limiting your sockets to 2 or 3 plugged in items.
What if my exposed Wire is outside my home?
The danger on outdoor bare wires increases dramatically as exposure to climate, sitting water, moisture raises the treat level to extreme. Exposed live wires are dangerous and a treat to life, as the risk of electrocution is high and the Danger is high. Not only is is climate, sitting water and the weather a factor, but also outdoor pests can make things a lot worse, a lot faster. Call a professional certified electrician to take on the job. To start, they’ll cut power to wires in question. Once they locate the circuit in the breaker box, they’ll safely disconnect the wire. Next, they’ll pull the wire out through the wall. The next steps get a bit detailed, we suggest calling in the expert instead of taking on the job yourself.
Don’t hesitate to call us if you find an exposed wire inside or outside of your home. In emergency situations, we’re here all hours of the day or night to assist you. So, don’t delay, call KVA Electrical for all your electrical needs!
