Electrical Safety Guide
Protect your Denver home and family from electrical hazards. Learn about safety devices, warning signs, and when to call a professional.
Electrical Safety Warning
Electricity is dangerous. Electrical fires cause over 50,000 home fires annually, and electrocution causes hundreds of deaths. Always turn off power at the breaker before any electrical work, and hire a licensed electrician for anything beyond basic tasks.
Essential Safety Devices
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Protects against electrical shock from ground faults
How It Works
Monitors current flow and trips within 1/40th of a second if it detects current leaking to ground
Cost: $15-$25 per outletTest: Monthly
Required Locations
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens (within 6ft of sink)
- Garages
- Outdoors
- Basements
- Laundry areas
- Near pools/hot tubs
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Protects against electrical fires from arc faults
How It Works
Detects dangerous arcing in wiring and trips before fire can start
Cost: $30-$50 per breakerTest: Monthly
Required Locations
- Bedrooms
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Hallways
- Closets
- Most living spaces (per current code)
Surge Protector
Protects electronics from voltage spikes
How It Works
Diverts excess voltage to ground, protecting connected devices
Cost: $20-$100 (power strip) / $200-$500 (whole-house)Test: Replace every 2-3 years or after major surge
Required Locations
- Computers/electronics
- Entertainment systems
- Appliances
- Whole-house protection recommended
Smoke Detectors
Early fire detection and warning
How It Works
Detects smoke particles or heat and sounds alarm
Cost: $10-$50 per detectorTest: Monthly test, replace batteries yearly, replace unit every 10 years
Required Locations
- Every bedroom
- Outside sleeping areas
- Every level of home
- Kitchen area
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Detects deadly CO gas from combustion appliances
How It Works
Monitors air for CO and alarms before dangerous levels reached
Cost: $20-$50 per detectorTest: Monthly test, replace every 5-7 years
Required Locations
- Near bedrooms
- Every level with fuel-burning appliance
- Near attached garage
Warning Signs
| Warning Sign | Severity | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequently tripping breakers | Medium | Overloaded circuit or faulty breaker | Reduce load or call electrician |
| Flickering or dimming lights | Medium | Loose connections or overloaded circuit | Have electrician inspect |
| Burning smell from outlets/switches | Critical | Overheating wiring or connections | Turn off power, call electrician immediately |
| Sparking outlets | High | Damaged outlet or wiring | Stop using, have replaced immediately |
| Warm or discolored outlets/switches | High | Poor connections causing heat buildup | Turn off circuit, call electrician |
| Buzzing or sizzling sounds | High | Arcing or loose connections | Turn off circuit, call electrician |
| Shocks when touching appliances | High | Grounding issue or faulty appliance | Stop using, have inspected |
| Two-prong (ungrounded) outlets | Low | Outdated wiring without ground | Consider upgrading for safety |
Emergency Response
Electrical Fire
- 1Call 911
- 2If small, use Class C fire extinguisher (never water)
- 3Evacuate if fire spreads
- 4Don't re-enter until cleared by fire department
Electrical Shock (someone else)
- 1Don't touch the person if still in contact with source
- 2Turn off power at breaker if possible
- 3Call 911
- 4If person is free of source, begin CPR if needed
Sparking/Burning Outlet
- 1Don't touch the outlet
- 2Turn off breaker to that circuit
- 3If fire, use Class C extinguisher
- 4Call electrician before restoring power
Power Outage
- 1Check if neighbors are affected
- 2Check main breaker
- 3Unplug sensitive electronics
- 4Report to Xcel Energy if widespread
Safe for DIY
- Replacing light bulbs
- Resetting tripped breakers
- Testing GFCI outlets (press test/reset)
- Replacing switch/outlet covers
- Testing smoke and CO detectors
- Using a voltage tester to check if power is off
Hire a Professional
- Any work inside the electrical panel
- Installing new outlets or circuits
- Replacing outlets or switches
- Any wiring work
- Installing ceiling fans or light fixtures
- Troubleshooting electrical problems
- Upgrading electrical service
- Any work requiring a permit
Fire Prevention Tips
Don't overload outlets or power strips
Replace damaged or frayed cords immediately
Keep flammable materials away from outlets and appliances
Use light bulbs with correct wattage for fixtures
Don't run cords under rugs or through walls
Unplug appliances when not in use
Have old wiring (pre-1970s) inspected
Install AFCI breakers for fire protection
Don't use extension cords as permanent wiring
Keep space heaters away from flammables, never leave unattended
Denver Electrical Code Requirements
- All electrical work requires a permit from Denver Building Department
- GFCI protection required in wet/damp locations
- AFCI protection required for bedrooms and living areas (new construction/renovation)
- Smoke detectors required in all bedrooms and on every level
- CO detectors required on every level with fuel-burning appliances
- Tamper-resistant outlets required in new construction
- Work must be done by licensed electrician or homeowner (owner-occupied only)