Spring Checklist For Homeowners
O'Fallon, St Charles & Saint Louis, Missouri

Home electrical fires are a very real threat. In fact, Electrical Safety Foundation International says that home electrical fires account for 51,000 fires a year, 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. The best way to protect your home and your family is to review an electrical maintenance checklist every spring to ensure the health of your electrical system.
Your best bet is to hire a residential electrician in O'Fallon MO to conduct your spring inspection.
Checklist: At a Glance
Here are a few things you should be checking each spring.
- Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Every six months, switch out the batteries in every detector, and test them to make sure they’re working properly. Replace the detectors as they get outdated.
- Inspect electrical cords, sockets and outlets: Check all outlets routinely, and unplug appliances and extension cords when you’re not using them. If you see discolored or singed outlets, this is a red flag that you have old or faulty wiring. Frayed or outdated wiring may result in an electrical fire if you ignore it. Replace old outlets with GFCI outlets to prevent electrical shock risk.
- Check all appliances: Plug all appliances into a GFCI outlet for additional surge protection and grounding, especially in the case of refrigerators, washers/dryers, and air conditioning wall units. Inspect the condition of all appliance cords and make sure they are not frayed.
- Clean air filters and vents: Whether you have stand-alone AC wall units in your house or you have central heat and air, regularly clear them of dust and debris. Filters easily get clogged with dust, pollen, dirt, and allergens throughout winter. If you have washable filters, clean and dry them. If you have disposable filters, order new ones and install them. Make sure all indoor and outdoor vents are not blocked by obstructions.
- Survey your exteriors: Make sure all outdoor outlet covers close properly and make sure that all outdoor lighting is not damaged from winter weather. Trim back trees from your main electrical wires. Never approach a live wire; call the power company or an electrician.
- Prepare for power outages: Because you will be running your air conditioning a lot more this summer, you want to be prepared in the event of power outages and surges that can occur with grid overuse. Install whole house surge protection and make sure any generators you have are in good working order. Stock an emergency kit with water, flashlights, and a hand-crank charging station for phones.
- Schedule an energy audit: This will allow you to see how you can make necessary improvements to your electrical system, save money, and conserve energy. Even just making small adjustments on your water heater temperature can save a lot of money annually.
Contact Braco Electrical and Contracting
Always have a licensed electrician in St. Louis conduct your spring inspections for safety. Make your appointment today when you contact us at 636-294-8562.
Latest Blog Posts
- Most Common Reasons For Smoke Detector False Alarms
- Keeping Your Pets Safe From Common Electrical Hazards
- Buying a Home? Get an Electrical Inspection Beforehand
- How Your Yard Can Benefit From Motion Flood Light Installation
- How Many Smoke Detectors Do You Need in Your House?
- Most Common Code Violations Made by DIYers
- Electrical Additions to Consider For 2024
- Why You Need Outdoor Security Lighting
- Commercial Electrical Repair: Top Signs to Prevent Business Downtime
- Why Your Business Should Schedule Fire Alarm Inspections in the New Year
- Why Generators Make a Great Investment
- Hire a Pro For Your Home Theater Installation
- Safety Tips For Holiday Lighting
- Why Outdoor Landscape Lighting is Important at the Holidays
- Do You Need an Electrician For a Basement Remodel?
- What Happens When Your Company's Electrical System Fails?
- Top Benefits of Having Electrical Outlets Outdoors
- 7 Fun Facts About Electricity
- Should You DIY Circuit Installation and Replacement?
- Why Choose LED Lighting For Your Home or Business?
- Top Signs of Poor Electrical Wiring
- Choosing the Best Under-Cabinet Lighting For Your Kitchen
- Retail Lighting Tips For Shops
- Benefits of an Electric Fireplace
- Spring Electrical Maintenance Checklist
- Here Are 7 Electrical Projects You Should Do This Spring
- How to Choose the Best Outdoor Extension Cord
- 3 Upgrades For Smart Home Technology
- Differences Between Residential, Commercial and Industrial Electricians
- Commercial Electrical Issues That Shouldn't be Ignored
- Generator Maintenance Tips to Handle Your Next Power Outage
- Do I Really Need Regular Electrical Maintenance For My House?
- Commercial Corridor Lighting Design: The Basics
- The Benefits of Floor Outlets
- The Benefits of Motion Flood Light Installation
- Why You Need an Electrical Inspection Before Buying a Home
- Common Electrical Problems to Avoid This Winter
- Here's Why You Need an Electrician to Install a Home Theater
- The Value of Surge Protectors
- Why is Knob and Tube Wiring so Dangerous?
- 6 Home Projects That Require an Electrician
- Why Food Trucks Need Generators
- How to Decide on Recessed Lighting
- 24/7 Emergency Electrical Service: When You Need It
- Top Signs Your Electrical Wiring is Outdated
- What to do in an Electrical Emergency
- What Are Some Electrical Issues Caused by Storms?
- Your Doorbell Isn't Working: What Gives?
- The Growth of Electric Vehicles
- Missouri and EV Charging
- Do You Need an Electrician For Your Bathroom Remodel?
- Do You Need an Electrician For Your Kitchen Remodel?
- 7 Tips For Preventing Electrical Fires
- Smart Home Electrical Improvements to Make With Your Tax Return
- 7 Reasons You May Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
- Why Should an Electrician Install Your Smoke Detectors?
- Understanding Electrical Essentials For Your Outdoor Kitchen
- Why You Need an Old House Electrical Inspection
- How Electrical Upgrades Improve Home Office Productivity
- How Much Electricity Do Christmas Lights Demand?
- Reasons Why You Need an Electrician for Home Security System Installation
- Hiring an Electrician is Essential For Basement Remodels
- How to Choose Recessed Lighting
- Make Your Home More Energy Efficient With Ceiling and Whole House Fans
- The Dangers of Knob and Tube Wiring
- Make Your Home More Energy Efficient With Ceiling and Whole House Fans
- Why You Should Hire an Electrician for Home Theater Installation
- Is Your Commercial Building Due For a Wiring Upgrade?
- Pros and Cons of Recessed Lighting
- Top Considerations for Warehouse Lighting Design
- 5 Reasons You Should Always Hire a Licensed and Insured Electrician
- What Qualifies as an Electrical Service Emergency?
- 5 Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade
- How to Choose the Best Electrical Contractor
- Should You Get a Generator For Your Home?
- Why Do You Need to Use Surge Protectors?
- >> Back To Blog
St Louis Electrical

Master Electrican Missouri.
Affordable electrical contractor serving the St Louis, MO area