Many homeowners in the Atlanta Metro Area decide to perform seemingly routine electrical work themselves even though they are obviously not certified electricians. There is nothing wrong with a homeowner performing seemingly mundane electrical work such as changing lightbulbs, installing outdoor lighting, adding dimmer switches, etc, however there are some important things that can keep homeowners safe!  The certified electricians at Way's Electric in Atlanta have put together a few friendly reminders for those who decide to "go it alone." Remember the electricity that travels through your home can seriously injure you if you don't put safety first or allow a certified electrician to perform dangerous tasks for you.
    Even if you are a DIY homeowner, the first tip we can give you is to ensure that you do have a regular home electrical inspection performed by a certified electrician. Many of the horrific fires that start as a result of electrical problems, such as faulty wiring, etc, could have easily been prevented if the homeowner had an electrical inspection performed. The question is, how can you tell when the last time was? Simple. Visit your electrical box and look for a label or sticker with a date on it, that will usually be the date of last electrical inspection, and if there happens to be no date or label at all, the general rule is to find out the age of your home and assume that the year it was built was the LAST inspection done! By ensuring your home is up to code electrically, you can breath a little easier when you go to add outlets or change sockets, or fiddle with installing new lighting.
    The next thing you should ensure is that you are using the correct materials for your project. There are numerous different wires, outlets, etc that need to be used depending on the voltage, amps, etc that you are working with.Â
    Finally, and this will seem like a no brainer, turn off the electrical power supply to the section of the home you are working on! I know it seems silly to have to mention this, but whether out of laziness, or lack of knowledge, many people each year electricute themselves through believing the power in that little socket, or under that light fixture cant be enough to hurt them. This is a chief priority when it comes to doing any DIY project in your home, dont be in such a rush that you end up flying across the room when you get a shock! Again, there is nothing wrong with DIY electrical projects, and hopefully these friendly reminders will help keep you a bit safer, but always remember, that certified electricians go through extensive training and have the right tools and materials to get the job done properly and safely.
    Our certified Atlanta electricians at Way's electric will be more than happy to at least give you a free estimate and answer any questions you may have through coming out to your home and hearing about your project. Call us today or visit our atlanta electrician website!
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