Did you know that, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), deaths resulting from home fires spike during the winter months? Damaged or frayed wiring, or cables and cords without proper insulation, pose serious risks. Homeowners can avoid electrocutions, fires, and other serious accidents by installing simple fixtures in their homes, or calling an electrician.

Desk Grommets and Cable Glands

Hard plastic or rubber grommets fit into most desktops, tabletops, and furnishings to redirect wiring away from sharp corners and edges. Grommets may be circular or oblong, and installation can be relatively simple. For example, flexible, quick fit grommets easily and quickly snap into place.

Similarly, cable glands fit over the ends of wiring and cables to safely connect them to various electrical parts and equipment. Cable glands are available in brass, stainless steel, steel, and plastic. Some varieties are liquid-tight, safeguarding wiring from spills and condensation. Others even protect sensitive circuits from accumulating dust.

When to Call an Electrician

Electrical fixes at home, however, are not always simple. Many require homeowners to bring in an electrician. For example, the installation of conduit, or tubing and piping that wraps around cables, generally requires an electrician. The piping may be flexible or rigid, and protects wiring from the elements and small animals’ sharp teeth. Homeowners may need conduit to protect cords in basements, attics, garages, or even outside.

Residents should be especially careful when installing metal conduit, or electric metal tubing (EMT). Electricians carefully install electric metal tubing, or conduit designed specifically to shield wiring from harmful electromagnetism. Conduit bushing, such as rubber or other soft, protective materials, is often used in conjunction with electric metal tubing. Conduit bushing safeguards wires from the ends of sharp EMT. Electricians can safely pull and adjust cables using conduit bushing.

Don’t become a statistic. Avoid residential fires by properly securing and protecting electrical wiring, using rubber grommets and cable glands, or professionally installed metal conduit.