Including electrical safety in your spring-cleaning routine will help to keep your family safe no matter where you live. If you live in Palm Beach or Broward Counties like we do, you probably welcomed the winter days when you could open the windows and enjoy a cool breeze. You could probably look at spring cleaning as an opportunity to get everything cleaned up, organized and ready so you and your family can hunker down in air-conditioned comfort as summer sets in.
CLEANING UP ELECTRICAL HAZARDS
When you are dusting, mopping, polishing and picking up, the Electrical Safety Foundation International suggests that you check out the condition of the extension cords in your home. “Using extension cords properly is critical to your safety,” they say. “With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard.”
To avoid the threat of an electrical fire or shock, they offer these tips:
Clean up that mess of cords in the home office you set up during the pandemic. Overloading extension cords is a big no-no.
Are you using a lot of extension cords? They say that “is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them.” You’ll want a licensed electrician doing the work to get the job done properly. If you need those outlets in a home in Delray Beach or Lighthouse Point, our electricians would be happy to help!
Did you know that not all extension cords are created equal? “Make sure the extension cord or power strip you’re using is rated for the products you’re using and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use,” the folks at the ESFI say. “The appliance or tool that you are using the cord with will have a wattage rating on it. Match this up with your extension cord, and do not use a cord that has a lower rating.”
If you need some help cleaning up the electrical system at your house, contact the South Florida electricians at Emerald Isle Electric today, call (561) 303-5475.