Electrical & safety

Electrical & safety guides for everyday homeowners

Understand your breakers, outlets, GFCIs, and lighting with step-by-step checklists and clear “DIY vs call a pro” guidance—written for homeowners, not electricians.

  • Quick red-flag safety checks for common problems.
  • Plain-language explanations of what’s actually happening.
  • Cost expectations so you’re ready before you call an electrician.
Start with common issues See safety red flags

No scare tactics. No jargon. Just what you need to know to stay safe.

Quick view: is this an emergency?

Smell burning plastic or hot metal? Turn off the breaker and call an electrician.
Outlet is warm or buzzing? Stop using it and have it inspected.
Got a shock from metal parts? Treat as urgent and call a licensed pro.

If you are unsure, treat it as a safety issue first. You can always reschedule a project—electric shock and fire risks are different.

Start with what you’re dealing with today

Choose the issue that looks most like what you’re seeing right now. Each guide includes simple checks, safety warnings, and next steps.

Electrical & Safety

Breaker keeps tripping

Understand the three most common causes, safe reset steps, and when repeated tripping becomes a fire risk.

Read the “breaker keeps tripping” guide

Outlets &GFCI

Outlet not working or GFCI won’t reset

Step through simple checks in the right order before you call an electrician—and learn when “no reset” is a warning sign.

Fix a dead outlet or GFCI

Lighting

Flickering lights or dimming when things turn on

Learn when flicker is just a loose bulb—and when it might point to overloading, loose connections, or panel issues.

Troubleshoot flickering lights

Urgent Safety

Burning smell, buzzing, or shock from metal

Clear red-flag symptoms that mean “stop, turn things off, and call a pro”—plus what to say when you call.

Go to urgent red-flag list