Cold winter months bring opportunities for cozy moments indoors  — but also some potential hidden dangers. More than 45,000 electrical fires occur in homes each year, according to thea licensed electrician update any damaged or two-prong outlets.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have old and unsafe wiring because electrical work is mostly hidden behind the walls of your home. Remember, however, that wiring problems are a major fire threat. Pay attention to these signs of hidden electrical issues and then get safe by

Lamps and other light fixtures provide necessary illumination but can also pose a risk. Placing a bulb with a higher wattage than a fixture can handle poses a risk for igniting a fire. Heed the maximum wattage allowed for all fixtures and decrease the wattage or replace ones that seem to get excessively hot when lit.

Never decorate a lamp with paper or cloth that could ignite, and keep fixtures away from textiles, like bedding or curtains. Replace cords that are frayed or damaged.    

There are a lot of reasons to love your older home.  Whether it’s a part of history or simply more cost effective than buying a brand new home, older homes can be just as nice as a newly built home with the right care.  Unfortunately, that level of care is often overlooked when it comes to old home wiring.  As technology has progressed in the home building industry, especially when it comes to home electrical, we have learned many safer ways to provide power to all of your appliances and gadgets.  We have also learned that many of the techniques that were used on older homes can lead to a dangerous situation for you and your family.

Here are a few things that you can look out for to help make sure your home’s wiring is up to date and safe:

Each of these issues can be a sign that your home has out of date wiring, and if you notice any of them in your home, you should have it checked by a licensed Dallas electrician to ensure that your home is as safe as possible.

For more information on  older home electrical issues, or to find out how to contact ElectricMan Inc. to discuss your own home’s electrical system, please visit us at www.ElectricManInc.com