Got an electrician saying we need to be careful about cellulose near the wiring in our attic. Is this a real safety issue or are they just trying to sell us something more expensive? What have other people used successfully?
Your electrician's not wrong to bring it up, though it's not like cellulose is a total no-go. The real issue is it's combustible and can pack down against older unsheathed wiring or anything that generates heat, which is a legitimate fire risk. Modern code usually requires you to keep it a few inches clear of recessed lights, exhaust fans, and anything that gets hot, and you want proper ventilation so it doesn't trap moisture. If your wiring's in decent shape and you get a contractor who knows what they're doing with clearance requirements, cellulose works fine for a lot of people, but if you've got a mix of old and new stuff up there, it might be worth doing rigid foam or fiberglass around the problem areas just to sleep easier at night.
Your electrician's actually right to flag this - cellulose can be a legitimate concern around older wiring since it's combustible and can settle against hot wires over time, plus it absorbs moisture which isn't great for electrical safety. That said, modern blown-in cellulose is usually treated with fire retardant and installers know to keep it away from recessed lights and junction boxes, so it's not like you have to avoid it entirely. Honestly, I'd get a second opinion from another insulation contractor about what your specific situation looks like - sometimes it's a real problem, sometimes electricians just want you paranoid. Fiberglass batts are always the safer boring option if you're worried, but plenty of people use cellulose without issues if it's done right.
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