Electrical Safety

Electrical power, while an essential and welcome element of our daily lives, can be dangerous, costly, and even deadly. The electrical system in your home is the infrastructure for all electrical appliances, lighting, and electronic equipment that you use. As you add electrical devices and increase the demand for electrical power, consider whether your existing electrical system is adequate.

We encourage you to read and follow the safety precautions below to help ensure that you and your family remain safe.

Your electrical panel needs to be readily accessible in case you need to turn off electrical power. Know the location of the panel and its main shut off switch (which may be located outside at the meter),
Replace smoke detectors every 10 years. They wear out over time and may become ineffective,
Replace loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices,
Avoid running extension cords across doorways, under carpets, under furniture or window treatments. Extension cords are rates for use in free air,
Extension cords are rated for a specific number of watts. Make sure that the items plugged into the cord do not exceed this rating. Please Note: extension cords are a temporary solution for wiring. They are not a permanent solution,
In homes with small children, electrical outlets should have plastic safety covers. Consider installing tamper-resistant receptacles
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into an outlet,
Avoid overloading outlets. Consider plugging only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time,
Ensure that GFCI outlets are installed near sources of water: kitchens, bathrooms, hot tubs, pools, garages and all exterior locations,
If outlets or switches feel warm, shut off the circuit and have an electrician check them for loose connections,
When possible, avoid the use of “cube taps” or “receptacle multipliers” and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single outlet,
Place lamps on level surfaces, and away from things that can burn,
Use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage. A bulb exceeding the recommended wattage can burn up the lamp's wiring,
Never touch anything electrical when you have wet hands. Don't use electrical appliances such as hair dryers or radios near water,
If power is lost during a storm, turn off or unplug electrical appliances to avoid a power surge when the electricity comes back on,
Consider adding whole house surge protection to protect all the electrical and electronic items in your home,
In the event of flooding, watch out for water around electrical items, and never use appliances if they're wet,
Never play with kites or toy planes near overhead power lines. If a toy happens to get caught in a power line, don't attempt to remove it yourself, or
Never prune trees that are near power lines.

Your safety is our #1 priority!!!