Electrical Safety Tips You Can Use Around the House This Summer

Warmer weather has finally arrived as we approach the end of spring and head into summer. Throughout the warmer season, your home will be using electricity primarily for cooling, with air conditioners, fans, air purifiers and dehumidifiers all operating with regularity. If you have a pool on your property, that will also take a significant amount of electricity to stay operational. Finally, outdoor outlets will get more regular use as you spend more time outside.

Considering some of the unique elements of electricity usage during the summer months, here are some tips for you to keep in mind so you can avoid having to rely on the services of an emergency electrician in Forsyth County, GA to help you out of a jam:

• Grounded: Inspect the outlets around your home and make sure they are all fully grounded. This is especially important around any areas where there will be water, including pool components, hot tubs or areas where children might be splashing and playing. At these locations, make sure you use ground fault circuit interrupter outlets.
• Inspection: Be sure to inspect all exterior outlets before you use them. Make sure these outlets have a weatherproof outlet cover that you can keep closed when not in use.
• Extension cords: If you must use extension cords outdoors for any reason, make sure you only use extension cords that have been rated for outdoor use. Cords that are only designed for indoor use cannot hold up to the weather conditions if they’re left outdoors for an extended period of time.
• Heights: If you’re using a ladder or pole for any reason, such as cleaning gutters or hanging lights, make sure you avoid coming within 10 feet of a power line. Never climb with tools in your hands, always wear the proper safety equipment and avoid going up on ladders or trimming trees in dangerous weather conditions.
• Wet connections: Never allow cord connections to become wet. If outlets or cords become submerged, it could result in the water becoming electrified and lethal to human touch.
• Outdoor play: Always fly kits or model airplanes away from power lines—keep them to large open areas like fields or parks. Avoid play in backyards that could result in an object getting tangled in a power line.
• Downed lines: If a line goes down after a summer storm, do not touch it. Stay away from it, and keep children and pets inside or away from the line as much as possible. Call the emergency line for your utility provider to have them come out and address the situation as soon as possible.
• Inspections: Any major system that runs on electricity should be inspected with some regularity as part of your safety procedures. This includes pool components, air conditioners, air purifiers and other large electrical systems.

Stay safe and have fun this summer! For more information about some of the most important electrical safety measures you can implement around the house, contact Duke Electric Co. today to speak with a licensed electrician in Forsyth County, GA.

Categorised in: Emergency Electrician, Licensed Electrician

This post was written by Writer