Top Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners in Lewistown, PA

⚠️ Why Electrical Safety Matters in Mifflin County

Many homes in Lewistown — especially those built in the 1950s–1980s — have aging wiring, older electrical panels, outdated outlets, and increased power demands. Modern appliances, devices, and HVAC systems place more stress on electrical systems than they were originally designed to handle.

That means even small issues like flickering lights or warm outlets can be signs of deeper electrical problems.

🔥 1. Watch for Warning Signs of Electrical Issues

Early detection is key. Call a licensed electrician if you notice:

⚡ Flickering or dimming lights

Often caused by overloaded circuits or loose wiring.

🔥 Warm or discolored outlets

A serious warning sign — heat = electrical resistance, which can lead to fires.

🔌 Frequent breaker trips

Your panel may be overloaded or have a faulty breaker.

💥 Buzzing or crackling sounds

Electrical components should never make noise.

❌ Burning or "hot plastic" smell

This is a red flag — turn off power and call an electrician immediately.

Lewistown Electric can diagnose these issues quickly and safely.

🔌 2. Avoid Overloading Outlets & Power Strips

Homes in Lewistown often have fewer outlet circuits than modern homes.

Overloading happens when too many devices are plugged into a single outlet, especially:

• Space heaters
• Air conditioners
• Microwaves
• Hair dryers
• Computers & monitors
• Gaming systems

Pro Tip:

If you regularly rely on power strips, it’s time to add more outlets or circuits.

🧯 3. Use GFCI Outlets in Wet Areas

GFCI = Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

These outlets prevent electric shock by shutting off power instantly when moisture is detected.

GFCIs are required in:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Garages
• Laundry areas
• Basements
• Outdoor outlets

If your Lewistown home doesn’t have GFCIs in these areas, it’s a must-do upgrade.

🏠 4. Inspect Your Electrical Panel Regularly

Your electrical panel is the heart of your electrical system.
If it’s old or undersized, it may struggle to handle modern electrical loads.

Signs your Lewistown home may need a panel upgrade:

• Breakers trip often
• Panel is warm
• You still have a 60–100 amp panel
• Burn marks or rust spots
• You hear buzzing
• Adding large appliances or an EV charger

Many older homes in Mifflin County were built with panels not designed for today’s electrical demands.

A panel upgrade improves:

• Safety
• Reliability
• Capacity
• Home resale value

🧰 5. Replace Damaged Cords and Outlets

Frayed cords and loose outlets are major fire risks.

Replace:

• Cords with exposed wires
• Outlets that spark
• Outlets that feel loose
• Switches that don’t click firmly

Never use tape to “fix” a damaged cord — this is incredibly dangerous.

💡 6. Upgrade to LED Lighting for Safety

LEDs run much cooler, reducing fire risk — especially in older homes with questionable wiring or older fixtures.

Benefits:

• Lower heat output
• Lower energy usage
• Longer lifespan
• Safer for older circuits

To learn about the additional benefits of upgrading to LED, check out this article.

For more information about our LED installation services, click here.

🛡️ 7. Install Whole-Home Surge Protection

Power surges are common in Central PA due to storms, power grid switching, and rural utility issues.

A whole-home surge protector:

• Blocks dangerous voltage spikes
• Protects appliances and electronics
• Extends lifespan of HVAC systems
• Shields sensitive smart-home devices

It’s a small investment that prevents thousands in damage.  Learn more here.

📞 8. Never Ignore Electrical Problems

In small towns like Lewistown, many homeowners attempt DIY fixes. Unfortunately, electrical work is not an area where DIY is safe.

Call a professional if:

• You’re unsure what’s wrong
• You smell burning plastic
• You hear buzzing noises
• Your lights regularly flicker
• Outlets or switches feel warm
• Breakers trip frequently
• You have aluminum wiring or an outdated panel

Safety always comes first.

🧯 9. Keep Space Heaters Away From Outlets & Cords

Central PA winters are cold — meaning many homes use space heaters.

However, these heaters draw a lot of power and should never be plugged into:

• Power strips
• Extension cords
• Older 2-prong outlets

Only plug space heaters directly into a dedicated wall outlet.

 10. Protect Your Home During Storm Season

Lewistown, Burnham, and Reedsville experience:

• Thunderstorms
• High winds
• Ice storms
• Power outages

Storm season can cause:

• Surges
• Downed lines
• Outages
• Brownouts

Prepare with:

• Surge protection
• Generator hookup or standby generator
• GFCI-protected outdoor outlets
• Safe extension cord use
• Proper grounding and bonding

To decide whether or not you need a backup home generator, read this article.

🧰 Let Lewistown Electric Keep Your Home Safe

Electrical issues are not something to take lightly. Whether your home is older or recently remodeled, regular electrical safety checks can prevent fires, outages, and expensive damage.

Lewistown Electric provides:

• Electrical safety inspections
• Panel upgrades
• LED lighting upgrades
• Surge protection
• Outlet replacements & GFCI installation
• EV charger installation
• Generator setups
• Complete wiring repair

📞 Call Today: (717) 400-6787
📍 Serving Lewistown, Burnham, Yeagertown, Reedsville & all of Mifflin County
⚡ Your Local Electrical Experts