Upgrade Old Home Wiring

If you live in an older home, built before 1973, safety experts suggest that you consider upgrading your wiring system. Up-to-date electrical safety features that protect people against electrocutions, electrical shock and burn injuries should be a part of every home, warns the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

A simple new device that ensures better protection is the ground-fault interrupter, available at building supply and hardware stores.

This is how it works to protect people: The GFI monitors electricity flowing in a circuit at all times. If current should “leak” to ground for any reason, such as a portable appliance falling into a kitchen sink filled with water, the GFI shuts down the power in milliseconds.