Summer Electrical Safety Tips

The summer is a season almost everyone looks forward to – after all, who doesn’t love the warm temperatures that summer brings? Hanging by the pool, summer cookouts, and barbeques bring family and friends together. However, safety should still be your priority. If you don’t want to ruin your summer fun due to the lack of electrical safety in your home, we’ve put together a list of summer electrical safety tips to follow:

Electrical Safety Tips for Summertime

• Keep electronics away from the water – If you’ve got an outdoor pool, then you might be thinking about throwing a little get together with friends and family – a pool party if you will. However, think twice about putting that your new speakers or mp3 player right by the poolside. All electronics should be kept at least ten feet away from the pool or any other water source. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, accidents can and do happen.
• Use outdoor-rated extension cords – If you’re going to set up your mp3 player or smartphone outside to play some music while you grill out, make sure that you are using the right extension cord. What is the right extension cord? One that is rated for outdoor use. There’s a good chance it will be exposed to moisture outside – and an outdoor-rated extension cord will be able to handle small exposure to water.
• Inspect your extension cords for damage – Before using an extension cord, inspect it carefully for damage. The last thing you should do is use a damaged cord as it presents a safety risk – especially if you plan on using it outdoors. Any cracked extension cords or exposed wires should not be used outdoors.
• Install GFCIs – A GCFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a device that can help improve the safety of your outlets. Outlets that are near water sources, such as outdoor outlets or bathroom outlets, should have GCFIs installed. A GFCI will shut off the power to the outlet if the circuit is compromised, such as if it gets exposed to water, a spilled drink, etc. This will help to improve the security of your electrical appliances as well as the safety of those in your home.
• Trim your tree branches – If the branches on your property are growing a little too close to any power lines, have them trimmed to prevent any downed power lines during high winds or thunderstorms.
• Don’t fly kites or drones near power lines – If you have power lines that are located relatively close to your home, instruct your children (if you have any) not to fly their kites or model drones in this area. These types of airborne toys should be reserved for flight in wide open spaces, like the park.
• Know where your breaker box is – If there’s an electrical emergency in your home, then you’ll need to know where the breaker box is so that you can shut off the power in a hurry.

Affordable Electricians in Maryland

Be sure to keep these electrical safety tips in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer. If you are in need of an affordable electrician in Maryland, be sure to contact the Jaffe Electric team today.