The Simple 5-Second Home Test That Could Save Your Life

When it comes to household safety, most of us think about locking the doors, turning off the stove, or changing the batteries in smoke detectors. But there’s one small, often-overlooked action that could mean the difference between life and death—and it takes just five seconds.

This is your reminder to test something critical: your electrical outlets, particularly those near water sources, for GFCI protection.

What Is a GFCI Outlet?

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet is designed to prevent electric shock. You’ll typically find them in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, or any area where water and electricity might come into contact.

These outlets shut off power in a fraction of a second if they detect even a small difference in the electrical current. That small difference could indicate a dangerous situation—like current flowing through water or a person.

Why It Matters

GFCIs have been required in new homes since the 1970s, but older homes may not be fully updated. Even newer homes can have GFCI outlets that malfunction or stop working without warning.

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), thousands of electrical injuries and hundreds of deaths occur each year in U.S. homes. Many of them could be prevented by functioning GFCI outlets.

The 5-Second Test

To test your outlet:

1. Press the “Test” button on the GFCI outlet. You should hear a click, and power should stop flowing to anything plugged in.

2. Then press the “Reset” button. Power should return.

If nothing happens when you press Test, or if power doesn’t shut off, your outlet may be faulty and needs to be replaced immediately.

How Often Should You Test?

The recommendation is simple: test your GFCI outlets once a month. It takes five seconds or less. You can even do it during a quick kitchen clean-up or while brushing your teeth.

What to Do if You Don’t Have GFCIs

If you live in an older home and don’t have GFCI outlets in key areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or garages, it's time to call an electrician. Retrofitting older outlets with GFCIs is a small cost compared to the safety benefits.

Final Thought

One press of a button could prevent an electrical tragedy. So, the next time you pass your bathroom sink or kitchen counter, pause for five seconds. That quick check could save your life—or someone else's.