The Worst Thing About A Home Fire? Most Can Be Prevented!

Of course, if you tend to be an optimist, that can also be the best thing about a home fires…as in, take steps to prevent an electrical fire now, and you can prevent a world of woes later on.

During a typical year, home electrical problems result in an estimated 90,000 fires which, in turn, cause untold injuries, loss of property…and worse. And the sad thing is, most of these fires are caused by electrical problems, and most of these can be prevented.


Specifically, most home electrical fires are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords. Electrical fires are more common during the winter months, especially in December and January when many homes are adorned – electrically and otherwise – with holiday decorations.

In the interest of your family’s continued safety, Rapid Service is pleased to offer you these fire prevention tips:

- Don’t overload wall sockets. If a wall socket is warm to the touch, it’s overloaded. If it’s not overloaded but still warm to the touch, have it replaced immediately. Same goes for light switches.

- Regularly check your appliance, tool, and extension cords for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, and broken or cracked sockets.

- Don’t put electrical cords under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas. Also, do not trap appliance or extension cords against the wall or under carpeting. Heat can build up and start a fire.

- Clean the lint filter in your drier after every use. Also, regularly check your exhaust hose to make sure hot air is escaping normally.

- Keep clothes, curtains and anything else that might burn at least three feet away from all electric heaters.

- When buying tools, appliances, holiday lights, and more, make sure they are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another independent testing facility.

- If a tool or appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-prong outlet.

For an added measure of prevention, Rapid Service can offer a safety check of your home. No matter how little the problem, we’ll find it, and show you how to correct it.

Just one more way we’re here to assist you… “Around the House.”

“Weekend Warrior”

So, You Don’t Think You Need an Electrician, Eh?

The shocking truth of do-it-yourself electrical work…when it’s okay, and when you really need to hire a pro.

Throughout our many years of service, we’ve seen some pretty bizarre stuff. After all, who hasn’t (at one time or another) attempted a small electrical repair on their own?

We understand the need. Heck, we even encourage it…provided, of course, you know your stuff, your limitations, and when you’re better off calling the professionals at Rapid Service for assistance.


Of all the repairs you’re likely to attempt, the one most fraught with potential danger is electrical wiring. Countless house fires result from poor wiring techniques, substandard materials, faulty extension cords, or defective electrical appliances. Why so much trouble? Because electrical wiring often seems simpler than it really is. Worse, even the smallest of mistakes can cause shock hazards that may not be evident until it’s too late.

Bend a wire, tighten a screw, wrap a little electrical tape? Go ahead, give it a whirl. Just don’t forget to turn off the power first!

Of course, wanting to do the job yourself, or even having a reasonable amount of ability, often isn’t enough. In many towns, there are limitations on the work an unlicensed person may do... even you! Hence the need and presence of electrical codes.

One of the primary reasons they exist in the first place is to prevent one small mistake can potentially endanger hundred if not thousands of lives.

Electrical codes also ensure consistency and uniformity, without which….well, let’s just it would be bad. Really bad.

Not sure what’s in the your local codes, or where to find them? Call us…we’ll be glad to point you in the right direction. In the meantime, we’d like to offer you this chance to save money on your next indoor or outdoor lighting project with the coupon available on our website www.rapidservicellc.com or by calling our office. Just our way of reminding you that a little “illumination” can go a long way.

See you next time…“Around the House.”

Nip The Drip - Some simple fix-its can save volumes

What seems like a minor leak may surprise you in the amount of water and energy lost. Some simple fixes can add up to some major savings. For example:

• Fix a leaky faucet, save 20 gallons a day
• Fix a leaky toilet, save 30 gallons a day
• Replace an old toilet with a low flush toilet, save 40.5 gallons a day
• Repair an outdoor pipe leak or broken sprinkler head, save 20 gallons a day
• Repair a leak around the pool or spa pumps, save 20 gallons a day

Obviously, those gallons add up over the year. A 1/32 inch size leak wastes 73,992 gallons a year. 1/8 inch wastes over a million gallons.

Leaky faucets are typically caused by worn washers or “O” rings. For something that basic, you may want to pull out the do-it-yourself book and attempt the fix yourself. Or, if you want to save time while you’re confident it’s done right, just call us. You might even combine it with an overall plumbing inspection while we’re there, which may save major costs down the road in preventative maintenance.

Your leaky toilet may be a simple fix too, if you’re mechanically inclined. However, it often indicates you need a new toilet. In fact, if your toilet is ten or fifteen years old, you’re probably better off replacing it with an efficient low-flow toilet. You can save over five gallons per flush, so the savings add up quickly. Also, you’ll get a better flush with a pressurized model. You can conserve even more water with a dual flush toilet. It has two flush settings, one for solids and one for liquids. Incidentally, if you avoid using the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket, you can save 400 to 600 gallons per month.

Simply replacing your showerhead with a new efficient model drastically cuts water consumption from 500 to 800 gallons per month, while you still enjoy excellent shower power. Current energy guidelines recommend a 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) rating. Placing aerators on three kitchen and bath fixtures saves 14 gallons a day, while retaining excellent water pressure.


Is the garden hose leaking? Seal the connection threads with thread tape. If it’s the hose itself that’s leaking, wrap it with sealing tape.

By implementing these simple ideas, you’ll be saving you and your community hundreds, possibly thousands of gallons each year. Imagine if everyone else implemented these ideas as well. You might want to share this article with your neighbors.

One more extra bonus when you fix those leaks – you’ll hear no more annoying drip drip drip.

If you decide not to "DIY", just give us a call or visit the Rapid Service website for your $25 Coupon toward any new installation or repair.