Breakers and GFCI Outlets

Your good electrical habits checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Breaker panel found, and the area in front of it kept clear
• Breaker labels checked, so you know which rooms they control
• Nearby GFCI outlets checked when an outlet is dead
• High power appliances spread across different outlets and circuits
• GFCI test and reset buttons pressed monthly, as many makers suggest
• Breakers that trip often, warm outlets, buzzing or flickering lights shared in writing

All done. Your home is in good hands.

Resetting safely

1. If an outlet is dead, check nearby GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outside, and press reset.
2. Reset a tripped breaker by pushing it fully off, then on.
3. If it trips again right away, stop and report it.
4. Please don’t tape a breaker on or replace it with a larger one. That can let wires overheat and start a fire.

If you see sparks, smoke or heat

1. If there is fire, get everyone out and call 911.
2. If an outlet sparks, smokes, smells hot or burns, stop using it and unplug things only if it is safe.
3. Turn off that circuit’s breaker if you can do it safely and without standing in water.
4. Don’t use the outlet or circuit again until it has been checked.
5. Take photos of any scorch marks or melted plugs.
6. Call the owner or manager right away, and follow up in writing.

You did exactly the right thing.

Guides that go well with this one

• Electrical Safety at Home
• Space Heater Safety
• Storms and Power Outages
• Kitchen Fire Safety
• A Basic Home Toolkit