An open knockout on an electrical panel may seem small, but it’s a serious safety hazard. Learn what we found during this Florida 4 Point Inspection.

Last week during a 4 Point Inspection, I approached the home’s electrical panel, opened the door, and spotted a problem immediately: missing knockouts. If you’ve never heard that term before, knockouts are the little rectangular cutouts in the panel cover—when a breaker is removed, a metal or plastic “blank” should be installed to close off the opening.

These were wide open.

Why is that a problem? Because with those gaps exposed, there’s direct access to the energized parts of the panel—including the main buss. That means if someone (especially a curious child or an unsuspecting homeowner) were to stick a finger or tool in there, the risk of electrocution is very real.

So I recommended blanks be installed right away to close off the panel properly. But when I removed the panel cover for a closer inspection, the story deepened.

There were more clues that this panel had been through some questionable work over the years. Improper labeling, loose wires, scorched areas, and breakers that didn’t match the brand listed on the panel. These are the kinds of things that don’t just tell you something was done incorrectly—they suggest that whoever did the work wasn’t qualified, or worse, was cutting corners.

Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon. Electrical panels are one of the most misunderstood systems in the home. Many homeowners never open them, and some handymen or DIYers think they’re more straightforward than they really are.

But when it comes to electricity, there’s no room for error.

In Florida, especially when dealing with insurance inspections like the 4 Point, electrical panel safety is a top concern. Insurance providers want to know that the system is safe, modern, and not a fire risk. Missing knockouts, improperly installed breakers, and visible signs of past overheating can all result in failed inspections and denied coverage.

When we find issues like this, we always recommend having a licensed electrician evaluate the panel and make any necessary corrections. It’s not about nitpicking—it’s about preventing injury, fire, or worse.

If you’re unsure about the condition of your electrical panel—or if you haven’t had it inspected in years—it’s a smart idea to have it checked out. Problems can sit quietly for years before showing themselves, and by then, it’s often too late.