Safety

Most electrical hazards are invisible until something goes wrong. A loose connection behind a wall, an outlet that’s been getting wet, or an old repair that was never done right can sit quietly for years. Safety work is about finding those problems first. Kushner Electric is led by master electrician Shlomo “Sol” Kushner, licensed in Maryland, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County, and safety is the first thing he looks at on every job.

What we do

Whole-house safety inspections

We go through your electrical system looking for anything unsafe: overheating outlets and switches, damaged or incorrect wiring, missing GFCI protection, overloaded circuits, and problems in the panel. You get a plain explanation of what we found, how serious each item is, and the options for fixing it.

This matters most in older homes. Customers with older houses have told us we found serious hazards they didn’t know about, including a burned-out, waterlogged receptacle. Others learned that earlier work in their home was dangerously incorrect.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Working alarms are the simplest protection a home can have. We install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and hardwired smoke detector systems that run on your home’s wiring.

Whole-house surge protection

A whole-house surge protector is installed at the panel and helps protect everything in the house, from the furnace to the fridge to the TV, against power surges. It works alongside the plug-in surge strips you use for electronics.

Pool grounding inspections

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. A pool’s bonding and grounding are what keep stray voltage away from swimmers. We inspect pool grounding and tell you if anything needs attention. For new pool or hot tub wiring, see Upgrade.

Warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

• A burning smell near outlets, switches or the panel
• Outlets or switch plates that are warm, discolored or scorched
• Breakers that trip often, or fuses that keep blowing
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Outlets near water without GFCI protection
• Two-prong outlets, cloth-covered wiring or an old fuse box
• Detectors that are missing, expired or chirping

If you notice any of these, contact us. If you smell burning or see smoke, leave the house and call 911.

Looking out for you

When we’re at your home for any job, we keep an eye out for anything unsafe and tell you about it. While doing several jobs for one customer, Sol checked something on the outside of the house and found a problem that needed Baltimore Gas & Electric right away. BGE fixed it within about 90 minutes. As that customer put it, it’s good to know your electrician is looking out for your safety.

We also share what we learn. Read our Top Electrical Safety Tips and A Lesson in Electrical Safety, about a short circuit caused by duct tape on outdoor extension cords.

Common questions

How often should I have my electrical system checked?

Regular inspections catch problems before they turn serious. They’re especially worth it when you buy a home, when the house is older, or before a renovation.

What happens if you find a problem?

We explain it, show you where it is, and give you options. Some fixes are quick repairs; others, like replacing an old fuse box or adding AFCI/GFCI protection, are upgrades. You decide what to do and when.

Do I need an electrician to install smoke detectors?

Battery-only detectors you can install yourself. Hardwired and interconnected systems are connected to your home’s wiring and should be installed by an electrician.