The sun’s out, you’re ready to fire up the grill, and the kids are jumping in the pool: must be summertime! The only problem with this season is that people often neglect proper electrical safety. There are electrical hazards it’s important to watch out for year-round, of course, yet summer presents an additional amount of risks which you and your family should be aware of. Luckily, Mel Carr Electric is here to remind you of everything to watch out for. Keep reading for our top summer electrical safety tips, and make sure to hire our Albany electricians for a full range of quality services.
Our Top Electrical Safety Tips for Summer:
- Keep Cords & Electrical Equipment Away from Water: Between swimming, water gun fights, boating, and more, there are always reasons to be around water in the summer. Yet when things get wet, it’s too easy for someone to slip and fall over a cord, or even to get shocked because they were using a device where they shouldn’t have been. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea not only keep wires and electrical equipment away from water, but also cover up any outlets that may be at risk of getting splashed.
- Unplug Devices During Thunder Storms: Lightening and thunder are a lot more common in the summer, and often lead to power surges and blackouts. Because your appliances can get damaged when this happens, you should unplug televisions, computers, and other expensive equipment you don’t want to risk losing.
- Consider Purchasing a Standby Generator: Per the last item, you may want to buy a backup generator for your home this summer, should you end up losing power at some point. This is not only a concern because of blackouts caused by the weather, but because of increased AC consumption as well. In general, you tend to use more power in summer, which means you also stand a greater risk of losing power. Talk to a licensed electrician about getting a standby generator, rather than a generic one which may leak carbon monoxide. Remember, protecting your appliances is one thing, but protecting your family requires extra care and attention.
- Don’t Let Your Children Play Near Power Lines: Obviously, your children are more likely to want to play outside during the summer. Because of this, it is important to keep an eye on power lines, utility poles, and electrical boxes. Although rare, downed power lines are a major hazard for anybody that goes near them, and if your kids fly kites or throw around balls a lot, it is important for you and them to be aware of their surroundings.
Mel Carr Electric Is Looking Out for You
At Mel Carr Electric, our number one goal is to keep you safe. We are fully committed to our customers’ well-being, which is why we’re beloved by people in Albany and beyond. For more information on electrical safety or to schedule any of our quality services, contact our knowledgeable, experienced, and ethical electricians at Mel Carr Electric today.
We are available by phone at (518) 500-3042, or you can click here to contact us online.