Electricians are licensed professionals who are guided by the regulations of the National Electrical Code (NEC). .Electricians install and maintain electrical pathways, including wires, pipes, circuit breakers, transformers, outlets and other equipment. Electrical power is important for good health, comfort, and performance. This form of power is particularly important to people with disabilities who use electrically powered assistive devices and medical equipment.
Electrical power can be a source of personal injury and property damage. The U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Incident Reporting System reports that, between 2009-2011, electrical malfunction in one or two family homes caused approximately 1 out of 10 residential fires (9.6%). Before beginning electrical work in your home, it is important to check with municipal authorities to see if permits are required. New and up-dated electrical work may be subject to inspection.
Between September 11, 2011-September 11, 2012, electrical problems were reported by the U.S. Fire Administration to be the cause of 26,000 fires in the country. These fires resulted in 82 fatalities and almost 1 billion dollars in property loss. In order to prevent electrical fires, homeowners should never attempt electrical repairs by themselves or request the services of anyone other than a licensed electrician. Electrical equipment should be regularly inspected, and homeowners should be attentive to the status of their equipment. A licensed electrician should be immediately called if wall outlets and switches signs feel warm, appear discolored, or create sparks. Electrical appliances that smell, or tingle when touched, can be a sign of an electrical emergency. Flickering lights and malfunctioning fuses can also be signs of serious electrical malfunction that requires the immediate attention of a licensed electrician:
The seriousness and rapid spread of electrical fires is a compelling argument for safety precautions in all homes. Special consideration should be given to safety plans for people with disabilities. These plans include evacuation, and issues of accessibility and management in the use of safety equipment.
