Electrical Safety: Protecting Your Family in 2026
Every year, electrical issues cause thousands of home fires and injuries. The good news: most electrical accidents are preventable with proper safety devices and awareness. Here's what every St. Louis area family needs to know.
GFCI vs AFCI: Understanding Your Protection
These two types of devices protect against different hazards. Modern homes need both.
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
What it protects against: Electrical shock from ground faults—when electricity takes an unintended path through water or a person.
How it works: Monitors electricity flowing out and returning. If there's a difference (as small as 5 milliamps), it cuts power in 1/40th of a second—before you can be seriously hurt.
Where required (2026 NEC): - Bathrooms (all outlets) - Kitchens (within 6 feet of sink) - Garages - Outdoors - Basements (unfinished) - Laundry areas - Pool and spa areas - Crawl spaces
Cost to install: $200-$300 per outlet (GFCI receptacle) or $150-$250 per circuit (GFCI breaker)
Testing: Press "TEST" button monthly—outlet should lose power. Press "RESET" to restore.
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter)
What it protects against: Electrical fires from arc faults—dangerous sparking from damaged wires, loose connections, or overheated cords.
How it works: Monitors for patterns that indicate dangerous arcing (different from normal arcs like light switches). Trips before arcing can cause a fire.
Where required (2026 NEC): - Bedrooms - Living rooms - Dining rooms - Family rooms - Closets - Hallways - Sunrooms - Essentially all living areas
Cost to install: $40-$80 for AFCI breaker, plus installation
Testing: Test button on breaker monthly
Combination AFCI/GFCI
Newer combination devices provide both protections. Required in some locations like kitchens and laundry rooms where both hazards exist.
When to upgrade: If your home was built before 2008, you likely don't have AFCI protection. Consider upgrading, especially in bedrooms.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
Your home is full of sensitive electronics. A single power surge can destroy computers, TVs, smart home devices, and appliances.
Types of Surges
External (utility): - Lightning strikes (direct or nearby) - Utility switching - Downed power lines - Transformer issues
Internal (within your home): - HVAC equipment cycling - Large motors starting - Power tools - Any high-draw device switching on/off
Fact: Internal surges account for 80% of surge events. They're smaller but happen daily, degrading electronics over time.
Surge Protection Options
Whole-Home Surge Protector (Type 1 or 2) - Installed at electrical panel - Protects entire home - Stops large external surges - Cost: $300-$600 installed - Lasts 3-10 years depending on surge activity
Point-of-Use Surge Protectors (Type 3) - Plug-in power strips - Protects connected devices - Stops smaller surges - Cost: $20-$100 - Replace after major surge or every 3-5 years
Best practice: Use BOTH. Whole-home protector handles big surges, point-of-use handles the rest.
Signs You Need Surge Protection
- You've lost electronics to power issues
- Your area has frequent storms
- You have sensitive medical equipment
- Your home has expensive electronics (home theater, computers)
- You work from home
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Smoke Detectors
Types: - Ionization: Best for fast-flaming fires (paper, grease) - Photoelectric: Best for slow, smoldering fires (electrical, furniture) - Dual-sensor: Best overall protection (has both types)
Where required: - Every bedroom - Outside each sleeping area - Every level (including basement) - Near kitchens (but not in—false alarms)
Interconnection: When one sounds, all sound. Code requires interconnection in new construction. Wireless interconnection kits can upgrade existing homes.
Power source options: - Battery-only (easiest, but batteries must be replaced) - Hardwired with battery backup (most reliable) - 10-year sealed battery (no battery changes, replace entire unit)
Replacement: Every 10 years, regardless of testing results
Testing: Monthly—press test button until alarm sounds
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Required if your home has: - Gas appliances (furnace, water heater, stove) - Attached garage - Fireplace (gas or wood) - Gas or propane generator
Where to install: - Every level - Near sleeping areas (within 10 feet of bedroom doors) - Near attached garage
Placement: Eye level or according to manufacturer instructions (CO mixes with air, unlike smoke which rises)
Replacement: Every 5-7 years (check manufacturer)
Professional vs DIY Installation
DIY acceptable: - Battery-only smoke/CO detectors - Plug-in CO detectors
Professional recommended: - Hardwired interconnected systems - Adding detectors to existing wired system - Combination smoke/CO units
Childproofing Your Electrical System
Children and electricity are a dangerous combination. Here's how to protect curious kids:
Outlet Covers
Basic plug covers: Inexpensive but can be removed by determined toddlers and become choking hazards
Sliding outlet covers: Cover outlet when not in use, slide to access—better protection
Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRR): Built-in shutters require equal pressure on both slots—required in all new construction. Best option for homes with children.
Cost to upgrade: $3-$5 per receptacle DIY, $15-$25 installed
Cord Safety
- Use cord shorteners for excess cord length
- Secure cords to walls with cord covers
- Never run cords under rugs (fire hazard)
- Keep cords away from cribs and play areas
- Replace damaged cords immediately
Teaching Electrical Safety
Age-appropriate lessons: - Toddlers: "No touch" for outlets and cords - Preschool: Water and electricity don't mix - School age: Never put anything in outlets, tell adults about damaged cords - Tweens/teens: Extension cord limits, proper phone charging, space heater safety
Extension Cord Safety
Extension cords are temporary solutions—never permanent wiring substitutes.
Safe Use Guidelines
Do: - Use cords rated for the load (check amperage) - Use outdoor-rated cords outside - Fully uncoil cords before use - Plug directly into wall outlet (not another extension cord) - Inspect for damage before each use
Don't: - Run cords under rugs or through walls - Staple or nail cords - Overload with multiple high-draw devices - Use damaged cords - Leave unused cords plugged in - Use indoor cords outdoors
Signs You Need More Outlets
If you're relying heavily on extension cords, consider: - Adding outlets (safer, more convenient) - Adding circuits (if outlets are available but circuits full) - Reorganizing—do you really need that many devices there?
When to Call for Help
Call an Electrician If You Notice:
Immediate concerns (stop using circuit): - Burning smell - Sparks or smoke from outlets/switches - Warm or hot outlets/switches - Buzzing sounds from outlets or panel - Flickering lights in multiple rooms - Frequent breaker trips
Schedule soon: - Outlets not working - Two-prong outlets (no ground) - Discolored outlet covers - Light switches that shock you - Old or missing outlet covers
Call 911 If:
- Active electrical fire
- Person shocked and unconscious
- Visible arcing or flames
- Downed power lines (stay away, minimum 35 feet)
Want a professional safety assessment? First Choice Electric offers electrical safety inspections for St. Charles and St. Louis County homes. We'll check your protection devices, identify hazards, and recommend improvements. Schedule your inspection today.