With several cable TV channels devoted to inspiring homeowners to become more involved in home repair and DIY home improvements, it’d be easy to presume most homeowners can tackle everything in their home on their own. But not all projects are as easy as the professionals on TV make it seem and attempting some repairs or improvements, especially those concerning electrical systems, can put homeowners at risk for injury or even death. Due to the high amount of risk involved, many electrical repairs or improvements are best left to the professionals.

A licensed electrician can help:

1. Fix a short in your wiring. Trying to fix wiring that keeps shorting out puts you at risk of electrocution if you are not familiar with proper wiring repair.

2. Install new electrical wiring. If new electrical wiring is not installed correctly, your home could be at risk for fire later on down the road. If you do not know how to install electrical wiring in a fashion that adheres to the your municipality’s code or the overall standard, the National Electric Code, do not put your family and home at risk.

3. Install a new dedicated circuit. If you find that you are constantly tripping your circuit breakers, you probably need to run an additional dedicated circuit. Items that require large amounts of power, such as air conditioners and microwaves, often need their own dedicated circuit. Installing a new circuit requires extensive electrical knowledge and tools.

4. With any electrical work in the bathroom or around the kitchen sink. Any electrical repairs in these areas put you at a bigger risk of being electrocuted due to the presence of water, which is a natural conductor of electrical current. It’s best to let a professional perform any repairs or installations in these areas.

5. Repair code violations. If you have an electrical problem that is causing your house not to pass code or fail inspection, then it is a safety issue for you and your family. Always let a professional repair any electrical code violations, to ensure utmost safety for you and your family.

6. Install additional power outlets. Many older homes do not have enough power outlets for the demands of modern appliances, which may cause a homeowner to overly rely on extension cords, which can be dangerous in the long term. Do not attempt to install power outlets yourself and risk electrical shock. Call an electrician to make sure that the new power outlets are set up correctly.

7. Eliminate electric shocks. If you receive a shock when you touch a light switch, call a professional immediately to make sure that your home and family stays safe.

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This article originally appeared on Angie’s List.