If you're the type of person who becomes rattled by malfunctions—and most of us do—then you're bound to find solace in the fact that if you need emergency electrical repairs around the house, you'll almost certainly be alerted to trouble by very certain warning signs.

So while nobody welcomes an electrical problem, there is some comfort in knowing that it will very seldom sneak up on you. All you have to do is learn what the signs are—so you can call a Chico area licensed electrician to fix the problem. The danger signs include:

1. Malfunctioning switches or outlets, a sign that the wiring may be loose. Of all the danger signs, this may be the one “sneaky” one, as many people are inclined to blame a malfunction on the appliance, not the outlet. To be sure, plug in the appliance in another outlet in your home.
    
2. Outlets with only two holes and no grounding pin. Three-prong outlets are common in houses built after 1970 while three-prong, ground-fault interrupter outlets (to minimize overloading and sparking) are common in houses built after 1990.
    
3. The presence of electrical shocks when you touch an electrical appliance. It's true that static electricity, especially during the cold and dry winter months, could be the culprit. But this should be an exception, not the norm. If shocks become commonplace, it could be a sign of a wiring problem.
    
4. Buzzing noises coming from outlets or switches—usually the sign of a loose connection or an overloaded circuit. Remember that some fluorescent lights make buzzing noises too, so be sure to isolate the true source of the noise.
    
5. Circuit breakers that trip with no signs of overload. Keep in mind that breakers trip for your own protection: to prevent overheating and a possible fire. So if an abundance of lights, appliances, computers and phones are draining one circuit, the breaker should trip. A breaker that trips from regular usage is abnormal and also might be a sign that it is old and should be replaced--a straightforward electrical repair.
    
6. Lights that regularly flicker, especially when a major appliance turns on. Try tightening the light bulb first; it's an easy fix. If the problem persists, it could be a sign that the fixture's connections or the wiring in the electrical panel are faulty.
    
7. Outlets, switches or an electrical panel that are hot to the touch. They shouldn't be—not if they're well-insulated. The area around ceiling light fixtures also shouldn't be hot—a potential fire hazard if there ever was one. Turn off the power at the breaker panel immediately and call a licensed electrician.
    
8. The smell of burning plastic—as in plastic wires—anywhere near a switch or outlet. Take no chances with this warning sign, either. Turn off the power and reach for the phone number of your favorite electrician. In all likelihood, a circuit is overloaded or wires are already overheating.
    
9. Like the occasional electrical shock, small sparks that occur as you plug in an appliance aren't cause for overt alarm. But large and/or frequent sparks are and usually indicate an electrical problem with the circuit.

If you're already feeling empowered—and that's no electrician's joke—then we've already fulfilled part of our mission at Experts In Your Home, where we pride ourselves on educating our customers. We've been providing expert property management services and emergency electrical repairs to Northern California residents since 1948, and we can do the same for you. So don't let yourself become rattled; simply reach out to our Chico electricians for help the minute you recognize you need electrical repairs in your home.

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