It’s Electrical Safety Month! Stay Safe With E.T. Lawson

- 9:14 am - May 20th, 2020

May is recognized as National Electrical Safety Month, and it’s a big one for Hampton Roads homeowners who rely daily on their home’s electrical systems for their amenities and comforts. As your full-service home comfort provider, we’re here to share with you some safety tips that we feel are important to know for dealing with electricity both inside and outside the home.

Inside your home…

• Check electric cords for fraying or cracking and replace them if they’re damaged. Also avoid overloading electrical outlets.
  

• Use extension cords temporarily as they are not intended as permanent household wiring, and using them in this way can result in an electrical fire or other hazard.
  

• Don’t run cords under carpets or rugs and don’t tack or nail cords to walls or floors.
  

• Keep electric appliances and tools away from water. Never reach for or unplug an appliance that has fallen into water; instead, turn the power off at the breaker before you unplug the appliance or remove it from the water.
  

• Never put anything other than an electrical plug in an outlet. Use outlet covers or caps to protect children.
  

• Keep your home’s electrical system in good repair. Contact E.T. Lawson if you have flickering lights, sparks, non-functioning outlets, or need wiring repairs or upgrades.

Outside your home…

• Never touch downed power lines!
  

• Always call your local utility or 911 if you see lines down.
  

• Watch for overhead lines every time you use a ladder, work on roofs, trees, or carry long tools or loads. Keep kites, model airplanes, and metallic balloons away from power lines.
  

• Know what’s below before you dig. At least 3 days before starting any digging or excavating project,  call 811, the National One Call Center, to have underground utility lines, pipes, and cables marked for free.
  

• Avoid planting trees underneath power lines or near utility equipment.

The best advice we can give you is that if you have any concerns or questions about your home’s electrical system, contact the licensed professionals at E.T. Lawson! No job is too big or too small.