Homeowner Education
Practical home electrical safety — what's normal, what's not, and when to make a call.
What this page covers
A smoke alarm that chirps, passes its test button, and looks fine can still be past its printed replacement date. Here's what the 10-year rule is actually based on, why a fresh battery doesn't reset it, and how to check yours in about a minute.
Read the articleA power surge is a sudden, brief spike in voltage — far higher than the normal 120 or 240 volts your home runs on — that lasts a tiny fraction of a second. It's not the same as a blackout or a brownout.
Read the articleElectrical malfunctions cause more than 26,000 residential fires nationwide every year — and Rutherford County sees its share. Here is what is normal, what is not, and exactly when to call an electrician, the utility company, or 911.
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