At Advantage Electric, your safety comes first. Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or upgrading an older home in the Twin Cities, taking the right electrical safety steps can prevent fires, injuries, and costly repairs.

Here are the top five essential electrical safety upgrades that protect your home and family, especially in Minnesota’s older housing stock.

1. Replace Outdated Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Don’t trust aging devices to protect your family. Smoke and CO detectors should be replaced every 7 to 10 years, not just the batteries. Over time, internal sensors become less sensitive, which increases the risk of a failed alert in an emergency.

If your home still has detectors from a previous owner or they haven’t been checked in years, it’s time for a replacement. Our licensed electricians at Advantage Electric can install new, code-compliant smoke and carbon monoxide detectors quickly and safely.

🔧 Pro Tip: Upgrading to interconnected detectors provides better whole-home protection.

2. Install GFCI Outlets in Kitchens, Bathrooms, and Wet Areas

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protection is a must in any area where moisture is present such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, laundry rooms, and outdoor spaces. These outlets instantly shut off power when they detect electrical imbalances, helping prevent electric shock or electrocution.

If your Minneapolis home doesn’t have GFCI outlets in the right locations, or your existing ones are old, our team can upgrade your system to meet current safety codes.

💡 GFCI upgrades are one of the most cost-effective ways to improve home safety.

3. Upgrade to Tamper-Resistant Outlets for Child Safety

Have young kids or toddlers in the home? Tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles are now required by code in all new residential construction, and for good reason. These childproof outlets include built-in safety shutters that block foreign objects from being inserted.

Whether you’re preparing a nursery or simply updating outdated outlets, Advantage Electric can retrofit your home with TR outlets for added peace of mind.

🧸 Childproofing your home should always start with your outlets.

4. Prevent Overloaded Circuits with Dedicated Appliance Circuits

If your microwave trips breakers or your lights flicker when large appliances turn on, you could have overloaded circuits—a serious fire risk. Modern appliances like dishwashers, washers, dryers, and microwaves should each have their own dedicated circuit.

At Advantage Electric, we assess your home’s wiring and install dedicated circuits where needed, reducing fire hazards and improving system performance.

⚠️ Overloaded circuits are one of the most common causes of residential electrical fires.

5. Replace Old or Overheating Electrical Panels

Your electrical panel is the heart of your home’s power system. If it’s more than 25 years old, frequently overheats, or can’t keep up with your home’s power needs, it may be time for a replacement.

Common warning signs include:

• Warm or buzzing breaker panel

• Frequent breaker trips

• Flickering lights

• Difficulty adding new circuits

We specialize in electrical panel upgrades that improve safety, meet modern code, and ensure your home is ready for future electrical demands.

👉 Learn more about our panel upgrade services

Schedule a Whole Home Electrical Safety Check

If you’re unsure where to start, our Whole Home Safety Check is a thorough inspection of your entire electrical system. We’ll identify outdated components, overloaded circuits, and potential hazards—so you can feel confident your home is safe and code-compliant.

👉 Schedule your safety inspection today

Get Peace of Mind, Upgrade Your Electrical Safety Today

From smoke detector replacements to panel upgrades and GFCI protection, we’re here to keep your home safe and powered for years to come. Contact Advantage Electric today to schedule your inspection or request an estimate.

📞 Call now or contact us online to get started.

Why the Metro Homeowners Trust Advantage Electric

• Fully licensed and insured Minnesota electricians

• Friendly, experienced team with 5-star local reviews

• Fast, honest quotes with no pressure

• We proudly provide residential and commercial electrical services throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area, including Eagan, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Rosemount, Bloomington, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville, Richfield, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Hastings, Farmington, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Maplewood, Edina, Savage, Chanhassen, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Hopkins, and surrounding Twin Cities communities.