As summer winds down and families across Los Angeles prepare for another school year, there’s more to do than shop for backpacks, notebooks, and new clothes. It’s also a great time to make sure your home is ready for the increased use of electronics that comes with school, homework, and busy family schedules.
From laptops and tablets to desk lamps, printers, chargers, and gaming systems, today’s students can rely on a surprising number of electrical devices throughout the day. Before the first day of school arrives, a few simple safety checks (and help from a professional electrician when needed) can make your home’s electrical system better prepared for the year ahead.
At Phase Electric, we provide residential electrical services throughout the Los Angeles area and help homeowners address everything from outlets and lighting to larger electrical upgrades. Here are a few things to consider as you get your home ready for back-to-school season.
Create a Safe Homework Station
A dedicated homework area can make it easier for students to stay organized and focused, but it can also create a concentration of electrical devices in one location.
A typical homework station might include a laptop, monitor, desk lamp, printer, phone charger, headphones, and other electronics. If all of these devices are connected to one outlet or power strip, you could quickly end up with an overloaded setup.
At Phase Electric, we recommend thinking about electrical needs when setting up or redesigning a workspace. If your child’s study area doesn’t have enough conveniently located outlets, a professional electrician can evaluate the space and determine whether additional outlets or other electrical improvements may be appropriate.
Don’t Rely on Extension Cords for Everything
Extension cords can be useful for temporary situations, but they’re not intended to serve as a permanent substitute for properly located outlets.
If your family has extension cords running across bedrooms, hallways, or other areas because there simply aren’t enough outlets, it may be time to consider a more permanent solution.
Phase Electric can help Los Angeles homeowners evaluate their outlet placement and electrical needs. Installing additional outlets can make a room more functional while reducing the temptation to rely on long cords and makeshift arrangements.
Avoid Overloading Outlets and Power Strips
Back-to-school season can mean more devices charging at the same time. Phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, headphones, and other electronics can all compete for available outlets.
Avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet or power strip, and never connect one power strip to another. It’s also important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any power strip or charging device you use.
If breakers are frequently tripping when your family uses several devices at once, don’t simply keep resetting them. Repeated breaker trips can be a sign that a circuit is overloaded or that another electrical problem needs attention.
That’s when it’s a good idea to have Phase Electric take a closer look.
Check Your Cords, Chargers, and Outlets
Before school gets busy, take a few minutes to inspect the electrical equipment your family uses every day.
Look for frayed cords, exposed wires, damaged plugs, cracked insulation, or other visible signs of wear. Damaged electrical equipment should be replaced rather than continued in use.
It’s also worth looking at the outlets and switches throughout your home. Warning signs such as unusual heat, buzzing, crackling, discoloration, or a burning smell shouldn’t be ignored.
If you notice something that doesn’t seem right, Phase Electric can help determine whether professional electrical service is needed.
Teach Kids Basic Electrical Safety
Back-to-school preparation isn’t just about organizing supplies. It’s also a good opportunity to remind children about basic electrical safety.
Teach kids never to put objects into outlets, pull plugs out by the cord, touch electrical devices with wet hands, or use damaged cords and chargers. Younger children should be supervised around electrical equipment, while older children can learn to recognize potential problems and know when to ask an adult for help.
These simple habits can become part of your family’s everyday routine.
Consider Your Home’s Electrical Capacity
If your family has added more technology over the years, your home’s electrical needs may have changed significantly.
An older home may not have enough conveniently located outlets for a modern family’s needs. You may also be considering a home office, new lighting, an EV charger, or other upgrades that require additional electrical capacity.
Before adding major electrical loads, it’s smart to have the system evaluated by a qualified professional. Phase Electric can assess your home’s electrical setup and help determine what improvements may be appropriate.
Start the School Year With Confidence
The beginning of a new school year is all about getting organized and establishing good routines. Electrical safety can be part of that preparation.
Take a look at your children’s study areas, check cords and outlets, avoid overloading power strips, and address electrical problems rather than putting them off.
And if your Los Angeles home needs additional outlets, lighting improvements, troubleshooting, or other residential electrical services, Phase Electric is here to help.
A little electrical preparation before school starts can help your family stay safer, more comfortable, and better connected throughout the year.
