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By nature, two-prong outlets aren't grounded—but the box they run to might be, which makes them safer. The safest way to test if an outlet is grounded is to purchase a circuit tester, which cost about $20 at home improvement stores. 

If you discover your outlet (or outlets) aren't grounded, know that this greatly increases your risk of personal injury and electrical fires. You may want to consider installing new three-prong ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. On average, the cost to install GFCI outlets is about $210 per outlet.

To determine if an electrical outlet is blown, look for visible signs of damage such as a burning or smoky smell, burn marks, or a melted or discolored plastic cover. If you notice a burning smell, contact an electrician immediately. Other signs include a plug that keeps falling out or the outlet not working when you test it with different devices. For further troubleshooting, you can use a voltage tester or multimeter to check for power; a reading of zero indicates a problem. Also, check your circuit breaker or fuse box to see if the circuit was tripped and reset it if necessary. If these steps don't resolve the issue, the outlet may need to be replaced.

Several signs can indicate a light switch is bad. If the switch feels loose, slides down after you flip it, or requires multiple flicks to turn the light on, it may be failing. Other common indicators include flickering lights or a general failure to turn the light on or off. Pay attention to any unusual sounds, such as crackling, buzzing, or popping when you operate the switch. More serious signs, which can present a fire or shock hazard, include the switch feeling excessively warm or hot, sparking, smoking, or emitting a burning smell. If you notice any of these dangerous signs, stop using the switch immediately and call an electrician.

The best place to put an electrical outlet depends on your needs. A good rule of thumb is to install outlets every 6 feet in large rooms. Hallways over 10 feet long need one electrical outlet minimum. 

If you find yourself needing extra plug-ins for all of your gadgets, you may want to increase the number of electrical outlets in your room. When adding outlets, keep in mind that older homes could have outdated electrical panels. In these cases, you may need a pro to upgrade you from 100-amp to 200-amp service before increasing the power load.