Ginny Bartolone began writing DIY and home improvement guides nearly 10 years ago, covering everything from energy-efficient appliances to cracked foundations. Whether she's compiling cost information ...

Question: I want to add ceiling lighting and a ceiling fan to my living room, but no wiring is up there. I would like to add decorative box beams and run the wiring through them. How can I do this?

The fear of being zapped into next week—or beyond—keeps even some intrepid do-it-yourselfers away from electrical work. Generally speaking, that's wise, because messing with electricity can be lethal.