10 Shocking Wiring Dangers That Could Set Your Home on Fire!

Living in an older home can have its charm, but when it comes to the wiring, it may be more of a headache than you realize. With today's electricity-hungry appliances, gadgets, and lighting, outdated wiring can quickly become a serious issue.

As electrician Allen Gallant, who has worked on six This Old House TV project homes, puts it, "The circuits in these older homes weren't designed to power the many gadgets of modern life."

The signs of trouble might be obvious --- like a tangled mess of extension cords and power strips plugged into a single outlet --- or they could be hiding in the walls, ceilings, and behind cover plates. In this guide, we'll walk you through the most common problems caused by outdated wiring and offer practical tips on how to tackle them.