DEAR TIM: I am getting ready to tackle some electrical projects around my home. After watching different home improvement television shows, it appears really easy. What are some of the most common mistakes a homeowner makes when working with high voltage wiring around the house? Am I starting this project with a false sense of security/safety? Kristin N., Ft. Lauderdale, FL

DEAR KRISTIN: Often I have to get up out of my chair and walk out of the room when I watch many of the home improvement shows on television. I get so aggravated that I simply can't continue to view the program. Important information is often either left out of the broadcast show or it is simplified to the extent that the average person thinks they can successfully complete a project. If you are a rookie or newbie electrician who is starting a high voltage electrical project with little or no experience, I urge you to reconsider. Household electricity is indeed dangerous.

Every day in the USA there are over 100 house fires that are caused by electrical malfunctions or mistakes. Many people die in these fires and survivors can be seriously burned. In comparison, I rarely have heard of a person drowning in their own home because of a plumbing leak or burst pipe. Electricity must be treated with the utmost respect.

Once you know what you are doing and can fulfill all of the requirements in the National Electric Code with respect to wiring in your home, electrical projects can be completed with relative ease. The trouble is, a rookie can create hidden problems that may manifest themselves in the form of a short circuit or shock hazard. Since electricity is invisible, these hazards can't readily be seen.

Some older homes do not have ground wires at switch and outlet locations. It is very tempting for a homeowner to install a grounded outlet receptacle in place of the old fashioned two prong outlet. This is a huge mistake. Keep in mind that it is a code violation to install metal cover plates on ungrounded receptacles or over ungrounded boxes. In the event of a short circuit, the cover plate can become energized and deadly.

Electrical boxes that are not flush with combustible interior wall surfaces can sometimes cause problems. If a homeowner adds wood paneling to a room, the recessed electrical box may be in violation of the code. Special extension rings can solve this problem but you need to know about it before you get too far into the project. Switches and regular outlets are not allowed to float near the surface of the finished wall. Often a rookie electrician will not screw them tightly to a recessed box because the cover plate will not look right. This is a highly dangerous situation as the wires connected to the switch and outlet can flex and wear each time the device is used.

The plastic coated wire that runs between outlets, switches and your electrical panel is actually called a cable by those in the electrical trade. These cables need to be securely attached to wall studs or beams. But a rookie can get into trouble if the staples that attach the cable are driven too tightly or at an angle. The wires within the cable can be damaged or nicked.

One of the biggest dangers is using the wrong sized wire for a circuit. Electrical wire comes in different gauges or thicknesses. The thicker the wire, the more electrical current it can safely handle. If you use too small a wire on a given circuit, the wire can overheat and short out before the fuse of circuit breaker trips or activates. Keep in mind that circuit breakers and fuses are meant to protect the wires in the circuit, not you. You must match wire sizes with the fuse or the circuit breakers.

The electrical code is also very specific about the length of the stripped wires that are attached to switches and outlets. Too much stripped wire extending from the inside of an electrical box causes big problems as you push the outlet or switch towards and into the electrical box.

Are you starting to get the picture? Working with electricity requires lots of knowledge and a firm grasp of the National Electrical Code. There are also many good books that explain and illustrate many common household electrical projects. I urge you to read those before you proceed with your projects.