Home Maintenance 101: Top Summer Electrical Safety Tips
Homeowners love to spend the summertime outdoors, enjoying themselves with friends and family. The warm summer weather also means an increase in overall energy usage. However, lack of electrical safety can ruin the summer fun and cause extensive property damage and severe injuries. Electrical shock, electrocution, burns, and electrical fires are a few consequences of a poorly maintained home electrical system or improper electricity use.
Electrical safety means taking adequate safety precautions while using electricity. It also involves keeping the electrical system well-maintained and up-to-date to ensure that the home and the family stay safe from potential electrical hazards.
Here are a few electrical safety tips for an enjoyable summer season:
Keep all electrical devices, toys, and appliances away from water
Water and electricity never mix well. As water conducts electricity, it is advisable not to keep fans, toys, speakers, wires, cords, or other appliances or devices near the water source. Water can cause the electronics to malfunction and lead to electrical shocks and other hazards while using them. Avoid placing electrical outlets close to a water source and cover the outlets, especially those installed outdoors, that can get splashed. Ensure that the hands are dry before touching anything that uses electricity.
Avoid overloading outlets
Overloaded outlets are the prominent reason behind various electrical problems, including residential fires. Every home uses several electrical devices and appliances during summers. Every household has multiple electric appliances that draw a lot of power. Plugging too many heavy electricity-consuming appliances into a single outlet, which does not carry the same voltage, can overload the outlet. Overloading can harm the appliances and lead to shocks or an electrical fire. Another tip is to never use extension cords for appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and dryers.
Use the right electrical cords and lights
Outdoor activities increase during summer. Homeowners need a power source to plug in multiple appliances to make spending time outdoors more enjoyable. Never use the extension cords meant for indoor use outdoors. There are extension cords available in the market specifically designed to withstand exposure to water, heat, and other outdoor elements. Standard extension cords can pose an electrical threat when used outside. Also, use light rated for outdoor use and never put the wrong wattage bulb into an electrical fixture.
Install GFCI outlets
GFCI outlets are crucial for electrical safety. GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets are usually installed near water sources (outdoors) or areas where electronics can get wet (bathrooms and kitchens). They help improve the home’s electrical safety by tripping to shut off or disrupt the power supply to a compromised outlet. It helps save a person from an electrical shock.
Regularly inspect cords for damage
Electrical cords wear with time and pose an electrical threat. Using frayed, cracked, and damaged extension cords present a safety risk and can lead to electrocution and fire. Inspect all extension cords regularly or before use and replace the damaged ones.
Additional summer electrical safety tips
Ensure regular inspection of all electrical equipment
Avoid approaching a downed wire
Unplug unused electronics
Ground all electrical connections to pools and tubs
Never extinguish an electrical fire with water
Know the position of the breaker box
Trim the tree branches close to power lines
Unplug major appliances during a thunderstorm
Contact a local, licensed electrician to know more about summer electrical safety or schedule an electrical system inspection.
When you need a licensed electrician for commercial or residential electrical needs, call Zimmerman Electric at 310-378-1323.