Switch

A light switch should be at least 2 inches from the edge of the trim of a door. The location of wall studs will often help determine where to put the light switch by your doorway, and in most cases, wall studs make it impossible to install the switch closer than 2 inches. When possible, try to keep the switch within arm’s length of the entryway.

The type of switch you choose depends on its purpose. If you prefer to control the brightness of the light or the speed of the fan without using a cord pull, consider a dimmer switch. If you prefer to control a light and ceiling fan separately, a double toggle switch is a good choice. If you have a smart home and would like to control your light switch from your phone, a smart switch is what you need.

When wiring a switch, the power typically comes into the receptacle first. The neutral wire goes straight to the outlet, while the hot wire is split. You'll need a wire nut to splice the hot wire back to one of the receptacles, but you will also tie another wire into that same wire nut and run to the switch. That way, you can control the flow of electricity to that particular receptacle by turning the switch on and off.

If a light switch is off, it’s very unlikely to cause a fire. For a fire to start, the switch has to be on, activating an electrical current, and the wiring must be faulty. However, the malfunctioning light switch could cause an intermittent current to move across the electrical wire. This issue could become a fire hazard with another device connected to the wire. You should replace the bad light switch as soon as you notice it or call an electrician.