--- title: Top 8 Signs That You May Not Have Safe Electrical Systems description: If you recognize any of these 8 warning signs, it's time to call in a professional to ensure that you have safe electrical systems in your home. image: https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hubfs/Bloom%20Where%20You%20Are%20Planted(1).png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems#main-content) [![Wilcox Electric Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog.png)](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Oct 4, 2022 2:27:41 PM # Top 8 Signs That You May Not Have Safe Electrical Systems [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/top-8-signs-that-you-may-not-have-safe-electrical-systems) *![Older historic row homes often need a professional electric safety assessment Wilcox Electric DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bloom%20Where%20You%20Are%20Planted(1).png?width=1600&name=Bloom%20Where%20You%20Are%20Planted(1).png)* *Are you wondering when you need to call in a professional? Pay attention to these warnings. These are the top eight signs to hire an electrician immediately.* Safe electrical systems are critical to living with peace of mind. Doubts or uncertainties about common electrical hazards like flickering lights, odd smells, small electric shocks, or buzzing or popping noises could be your home's old electrical system trying to tell you something important. Heed the following warnings: 1. You Bought a New Home. Have a professional electrician inspect the property when you move into a new home. Doing so will show you any problems or potential problems with the home. Wiring, circuit breaker problems, and other issues can be spotted and repaired before moving in.  2.  You Bought or Live in an Old Home. You need a [home electrical assessment](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/safety-assessment) if you live in or purchase an old home. Older homes that have not been renovated likely need new wiring. Most homes need electrical upgrades to meet modern needs and codes. 3. The Circuit Breakers Trip Often. You have a problem if you notice your circuit breakers are frequently tripping. While it’s not unusual to trip a breaker occasionally when you plug too many things into the same circuit, you need to hire an electrician immediately if it happens more often. This could be a short in a wire, or it could mean you need to [upgrade your panel](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/why-should-i-replace-my-homes-old-electrical-panel). Either way, make the call and have it fixed right away. 4. It Smells Like Something is Burning. Have you ever gotten a quick whiff of air that smells like something is burning? If nothing in sight is burning, that’s good. However, if the smell is persistent, you should immediately [contact an electrician](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us). Something behind the wall produces that smell, whether from old wiring, a short circuit, or something else. 5. Flickering Lights Aren’t Good. While certain people may see [flickering lights](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/flickering-lights-what-might-cause-that) as otherworldly, it’s probably electrical rather than magical. When lights start flickering, it may signal a short circuit or frayed wire. You may also notice your light bulbs are burning out faster than usual. Call an electrician and get this problem cleaned up.  6. Wires Need Watching. A few wiring issues could require a professional electrician’s attention. For example, [old wiring can fray and break](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/is-your-old-electrical-wiring-a-safety-hazard). It can also carry too high of an electrical load. So if you see a fraying wire, hear popping noises, or the lights flicker, you need to have a professional electrician upgrade your wiring. 7. Warm Outlet. Your outlets, switches, and fixtures should never be warm or hot. If you feel heat radiating from any of these, you must assess the situation. It can be [faulty wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/what-is-an-open-ground) or a circuit overload.  8. Shocks and Buzzing. If you hear a buzzing noise inside the walls, get it checked out. The noise could be due to loose hardware or a much bigger problem. The best thing you can do is call your electrician and set up an appointment as soon as you can.  --- *Keep these eight warning signs in mind for peace of mind as well as safety. [Contact Wilcox Electric](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) for quality and experienced service to address any of these situations.* [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Electrical safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-safety), [Upgrade wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-wiring), [Surge protector](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/surge-protector), [selling-a-home](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/selling-a-home) ## Related posts [![Old Panels and Circuit Breakers-Wilcox-Electric-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/know-your-electrical-service-panel-wilcox-electric-dc.jpg?height=200&name=know-your-electrical-service-panel-wilcox-electric-dc.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/when-is-it-time-to-replace-old-panels-and-circuit-breakers) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Upgrade wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-wiring), [Whole home electrical safety inspection](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/whole-home-electrical-safety-inspection), [Electrical Panels](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panels), [Circuit Breakers](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/circuit-breakers) ## [When is the Right Time to Replace Old Panels and Circuit Breakers?](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/when-is-it-time-to-replace-old-panels-and-circuit-breakers) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Feb 23, 2023 8:30:00 AM Odds are that you don't spend too much time thinking about your electrical panel unless you have... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/when-is-it-time-to-replace-old-panels-and-circuit-breakers) [![Whats-scarier-than-Halloween-in-an-old-house-Electrical-Problems-Wilcox-Electric-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Whats-scarier-than-Halloween-in-an-old-house-Electrical-Problems-Wilcox-Electric-DC.jpg?height=200&name=Whats-scarier-than-Halloween-in-an-old-house-Electrical-Problems-Wilcox-Electric-DC.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-scarier-than-halloween-in-an-old-house-electrical-problems) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Electrical safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-safety), [Upgrade wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-wiring), [Whole home electrical safety inspection](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/whole-home-electrical-safety-inspection), [Electrical Work Estimate](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-work-estimate), [Upgrade Outlets](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-outlets), [Whole home electrical inspection](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/whole-home-electrical-inspection), [Whole Home Electrical Assessment](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/whole-home-electrical-assessment), [Electrical Problems](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-problems), [Electrical Issues in an Old House](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-issues-in-an-old-house), [Electrical Problems in an Old House](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-problems-in-an-old-house) ## [What’s Scarier than Halloween in an Old House? Electrical Problems!](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-scarier-than-halloween-in-an-old-house-electrical-problems) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Oct 26, 2023 8:00:00 AM The shadows grow longer as Halloween season is approaching! Of all the things that could frighten... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/whats-scarier-than-halloween-in-an-old-house-electrical-problems) [![1950s-modern-kitchen-in-21st-century-wilcox-electric-dc](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bigstock-Shocked-Women-20101916.jpg?height=200&name=bigstock-Shocked-Women-20101916.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/why-20th-century-electrical-upgrades-fall-short-in-the-21st) [Installation of smart technology](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/installation-of-smart-technology), [Energy usage](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/energy-usage), [Upgrade wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/upgrade-wiring), [Energy efficient appliances](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/energy-efficient-appliances) ## [Why 20th-Century Electrical Systems Fall Short in the 21st](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/why-20th-century-electrical-upgrades-fall-short-in-the-21st) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Sep 23, 2021 8:45:00 AM Every electrician knows you need to keep up with the power demand safely and affordably. However,... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/why-20th-century-electrical-upgrades-fall-short-in-the-21st) --- [![Wilcox Electric Footer Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog-1.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog-1.png "Wilcox Electric Footer Logo")](http:///) 5602 Tuxedo Road Hyattsville, MD 20781 wilcox@wilcox-electric.com 301-583-8888 // 202-546-1010       Copyright © 2023 Wilcox Electric.