Ensuring electrical safety at home is key to protecting your family, property, and belongings. And while that pretty much goes without saying, we often get asked “Exactly how do I go about doing that?”

While electrical safety is not confined to one season or another, summer presents unique challenges worth exploring on their own.

Let’s have a look.

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Assume that all power lines around your home are live and dangerous. Never play near or touch them with any part of your body or any other object.
• If you see a downed power line, stay away, and call your local utility company.
• Never climb on or play near a utility pole.
• Avoid playing with kites and other airborne toys near power lines. If you’re going to use flying devices, look for places like a park or an open field.
• If you have trees that are too close to a power line, ask your utility company about having them trimmed back or removed.
• Use water resistant outlet covers on all outdoor receptacles near swimming pools and use GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets.
• Keep power cords and electrical devices away from pools. Don’t get them wet.
• Never handle electrical items when you are wet.
• When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for grounding.

Additional Electrical Safety Tips

• Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry when using power tools.
• Don’t use power tools near live electrical wires of water pipes.
• Remember, metal ladders conduct electricity.
• Never remove guards from power tools or lawn products. Their purpose is to protect you.

For added electrical safety, contact Excel Electric for prompt and thorough action. We can install GFCI outlets where you need them, check for frayed wiring, test all outlets and switches for cracked wiring that could start an electrical fire, and more. At Excel Electric, it’s all part of the service. We look forward to your call.