When it comes to home repairs, a lot of homeowners love the idea of doing things themselves. But when it comes to electrical wiring, a small mistake can turn into a serious safety hazard. The photo above is a perfect example of what can go wrong when wiring isn’t done the right way.
At first glance, it might just look like a messy switch hanging out of the wall—but this is far worse than it appears. The electrical tape wrapped around multiple wires, the missing electrical box, and the tangled splices are all red flags. Every wire connection in your home should be enclosed in a proper electrical box to contain sparks, prevent short circuits, and protect you from shock or fire.
In this case, there’s no junction box, no visible ground wire, and the switch is left hanging loose. That means even a light touch or vibration could cause a short or spark. Over time, electrical tape can dry out or loosen, exposing live wires. And when wires overheat behind the wall, the result can be devastating—a potential house fire waiting to happen.
As electricians, we often see situations like this during remodels or inspections. What might have been a “quick fix” by a previous owner turns into a costly repair later. Electrical systems aren’t just about getting power from point A to point B—they’re designed to keep you safe while doing it.
At Galaxy Electric & Solar, we’ve been serving the Seattle area since 2002, providing homeowners with professional electrical repairs, rewiring, and code-compliant installations. Whether it’s replacing an old switch, adding outlets, or upgrading your electrical panel, we make sure every connection is done safely, neatly, and built to last.
If you ever find wiring like this in your home, don’t ignore it—call a licensed electrician right away. It’s always better to fix it correctly now than deal with a dangerous problem later.