Have you thought about getting some estimates on cost for new electrical wiring and outlets?

Yeah... around 6-8+k because also need to modify electrical panels and probably a lot of works.

Option 1 I estimated around 400-500$

Option 2 should be around 250-300$

Option 3 Who knows, bot probably not cheap 0_o

What exactly makes you think you have electrical system issues? Googling symptoms can often lead to a myriad of issues, including anything medical leads you to the assumption that you will die within a week from your cold.

A lot has changed since the 1940's.

With regard to safety, I suggest you plan to address the root causes of your concern. The electrical wiring of your home is a good place to start. You'll not only reduce fire risk, but you'll get the protection provided by GFCI and arc-fault circuit breakers. In the interim, make sure you've got proper smoke and combo smoke/CO detectors and ensure you have a good fire extinguisher in the kitchen and on each level of your home. Check with your insurance agent to see if you'll get a break on your homeowner's insurance premium if you rewire.

I'm not a fan of residential sprinklers, but installing them is not a DIY project. It's a project for a contractor with that specialty license.

Here are 4 logical solutions for you.

1. Get an electrical contractor out there get a few quotes to update electric wiring, etc. This way you will sleep good at night or when you going away. (best solution)
2. Installing a sprinkler system will cost you as much if not more as rewiring, not to mention the water will cause just as much damage as the fire will by the time anyone gets there.
3. The cheapest way out is to install a house alarm system most comes wireless with a fire alarm option that goes directly ties the central station and they will notify cops/fire department.
4. The free solution if you don't wanna spend anything, kill the main breaker every time you leave the house (don't forget to shut the water off as well).

Good luck

I agree with the others. Most important things in a house, before doing anything to make it pretty, is to make it safe to live in. Wiring, plumbing, structure,and roofing and decent windows, should all be done, before the pretty stuff.

Charles and GN Builders have a lot of good ideas.

My $0.02:

1. Insure the house and contents for replacement cost.

2. Install interconnected smoke detectors, etc.

3. Plan on an electrical upgrade in the near future.

4. Sleep well at night.

There isn't anything wrong with old wiring. It's when it's disturbed that trouble can start.

Wiring is only one component of an electrical system-- which includes everything from the service panel to the circuit protecting devices, wiring, grounding, switches, receptacles, etc. Given the age of the system it is likely that it has been modified along the way--potentially in ways that may make it less safe. Given the OP's concerns about fire safety, they will be well served to have a qualified electrician assess the condition of the electrical system and make recommendations to remedy any issues.

@worthy The 1st picture is a classic, I carry that with me all the time, I actually came across something like this but it was about a 10" above the receptacle :-)

The things that you find inside the walls especially involving wiring, at times you wonder how it didn't catch fire yet.

This was live wire buried inside the wall.

Here is another beauty that was exposed inside the wall.

I have a whole folder of hacked-up jobs I come across and just as you think you have seen it all, you come across something new, and you just say wow only a moron would do something like this, and unfortunately, nice people being taken for a ride not to mention that every year it cost consumer millions of dollars in property damage.

tonny- I'm lost over how "fireballs and grenades" or "fire suppression stickers" are a solution to any electrical issue. I suggest you consult an electrician to find out if you even have any problems before trying to fix things that may not be broken.

a whole folder of hacked-up jobs

Mine are mostly locked in my head!

I've come across receptacle boxes made from scraps of wood--charred when the loose connections sparked. Lampcord buried in the wall carrying 110 v. A whole basement wired directly into the 60AMP main. My "favourite" was when my real estate agent gf got shocked brushing against the main breaker box. Somehow the whole box was carrying current. (I shut the main breaker with a 2x4 and told her to notify the owner.)

My favorite was a little motel we stayed in a few years ago. One of my kids came into our bedroom in the morning and said sparks were coming out of the baseboard heater. I took one look and immediately threw the breaker. The heaters were new looking, and appeared to be replacements, but the connections on the heaters were in a position that was too far away to properly hook them to the wires in the receptacle box, so 16 gauge lamp cord was used to extend the 12 gauge wires in the box and was run along the wall behind the heaters. It didn't take long for the heat to bake the insulation off the lamp cord and expose live wires to the ungrounded heaters. I explained to the management about this hazard and they said: "Yeah, we used to have a handyman and that guy did some sketchy things." I explained why they might want to get this fixed, and we immediately checked out before the place caught on fire or one of my kids got electrocuted.

I see this all over the place and not only with electrical work, with everything else as well and it will only get worst.

This year just started I already evaluated 8 botched-up projects, new home renovation, a few decks, finished basements, etc.

Over time, wiring decays. If so, it needs to be replaced. End of story.

As someone’s who’s husband spent 25 years as a firefighter, money spent on dealing with root problems is never wasted. I know it’s a lot of money. Your community may have resources for assistance. Zero interest loans, etc. I know it’s expensive, but don’t even play with this. Deal with it head-on, please.

Sigrid-

Wiring does not necessarily decay. Old wiring should be updated to include proper grounding and addition of safety devices as necessary. However, many wiring problems have more to do with incompetent people making unsafe modifications, than with unsafe conditions occurring simply through "aging" of properly installed wiring. I am aware of many homes with wiring that is 50, 70, or 90 years old that do not need the wiring replaced simply because it's old. Whether wiring needs to be replaced is something that is situation dependent, and a competent electrician can help a homeowner determine whether an update is necessary.

In emergencies, it’s essential to act fast and decisively. To save others and live an emergency case, one must have the right tactics and skills. Some skills are learned while being trained. But others can be learned at a community college or through a private instructor. While in training, an actual firefighter knows from his peers and the most experienced company members. You can get more knowledge from these interesting firefighter courses. I was very impressed with what I discovered in these courses.

I'm not sure how far you've gotten with mitigation, but at minimum you should have fire extinguishers and working detectors. Hard wired with battery backups. Preferably with dual sensors. If you're worried about fires while you are gone, then consider contracting with an alarm service. I found it notable that none of your three solutions included actually upgrading your home's wiring. I would guess adding sprinklers would be at least as much work and money. I hope you will find a safe solution that works for you.