Are your lights flickering? Light bulbs burning out quickly? Basically, does your house seem possessed?

• First check your light bulbs.
  • Is the bulb burned out? If so, replace it..
  • Make sure the bulb is installed properly. Does it need to be tightened? Is it cross threaded?
  • Is it the right type of bulb for your fixture? Is it the correct wattage? Or are you using a 100 watt bulb in a fixture rated for 75 watts?
• If your lights are flickering, it could mean the fixture isn’t properly hooked up to your electric system.
• Problems with your light and/or dimmer switch may mean they aren’t wired properly or there are other problems with your wiring. Contact an electrician.
• Power surges are another reason light bulbs burn out quickly. Look into installing a whole house surge protector.

Is your outlet not working? Do plugs fall out of the outlet or don’t fit? Is your house littered with power strips and extension cords?

• If your outlet doesn’t work, see if you need to reset the breaker. If that isn’t the reason, your outlet might not be installed properly or you need a new outlet.

• My GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) isn’t working. GFCI outlets are used primarily in bathrooms and kitchens and have an added safety feature. They will stop supplying power to your appliance if they sense a problem, for example overheating or moisture. Unplug the offending appliance and reset the outlet. If this doesn’t work, you probably need a new GFCI outlet.

• Do you need more outlets? You know you don’t have enough when you have a power strip plugged in and it is full or you have an extension cord running across your room to give you power where you need it. Both are a problem, you can easily overload your circuit causing problems. Extension cords are not designed to be used as a long-term solution, especially if you are using more than one, plus they are major trip hazards. You will most likely trip over it in the dead of night on your way to the bathroom, causing you to fall and make enough noise to wake your entire household. Contact a licensed electrician to install more outlets.

• The plug doesn’t fit or falls out of the outlet. Do not force it, check several appliances in the offending outlet to determine if it is an outlet issue or it’s a problem with that specific plug. If it is the outlet, you should replace it.