Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
Warm or discolored wall plates
Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches
How to prevent electrical overloads:
Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet