Tag: Electric service

It has become part of our daily lives to use many extension cords to plug various appliances and chargers in order to go through the day. It seems to be almost impossible to live in the 2021 without so many electronics and therefore extension cords seem to be a very good solution. Extension cords can be very good solution for a short solutions and very convenient however they are not necessarily the safest electrical options for your home as electrical companies in Fort Myers suggest.

The reason why they cannot be fully trusted is the fact that they present additional tripping and fire hazards. The point is that they are not meant to be used full-time and can be temporary solution. In the long run it is way better and safer to have additional electrical outlets installed. When you do use electrical cords, make sure they are inspected before each use to ensure they are not damaged. If you see your extension cord is damaged or hot to the touch, be sure to dispose of it right away.

One would be surprised to hear how many injuries are caused by electrical outlets. Individuals need to regularly check electrical outlets and plugs for tell-tale signs of fire or wiring issues. Any faulty plugs (such as plugs with exposed wires) should be replaced immediately. One very obvious sign that an outlet needs an immediate check-up is the discolored spots around outlets. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a discolored wall outlet can be caused by “arcing, smoldering, burning happening behind your outlets, damaged or improperly installed wiring in the outlet, or a problem with the receptacle itself.”
            Another thing that one should look out for is the tingling sensation when plugging appliances. Sometimes you cannot see the signs of a problem with an electrical plug or outlet; instead, you will be able to smell, feel or hear the issue. In any case, we would recommend checking with licensed electricians.

Today’s blog will be about our so beloved pets that we need to keep safe. It is very hard to explain to them what touch or what not to touch or even worse what not to chew. Therefore we gathered some of the tips that will help you keep your pets safe.

• Tuck all loose electrical cords out of sight behind appliances.
• Do not plug a mobile phone in to charge and then forget about it. Never leave devices plugged in to charge overnight or while you are out of the house.
• Check your wiring frequently for fraying and replace it immediately.
• Make sure plugs are fully plugged into a socket. A Partially exposed prong could be dangerous to a curious pet and could get a shock on its nose or paw.
• Do not let your pet nap behind electrical appliances such as computers, heaters, dryers, etc.
• buying Pet-proof cords or coat cords with a bitter substance to discourage chewing would be helpful.
• Unplug all accessible electrical cords in the room that you leave your young pet unsupervised.
• Freestanding lamps and exposed bulbs can reach very high temperatures, especially halogens, and could easily start a fire if knocked over by a feisty pet.
• Do not leave portable heaters switched on and unattended, this can be particularly risky when pets are running around and likely to knock things over.
• Do not overload plug sockets.
• Never leave appliances unattended.

We hope you find this useful.

Unfortunately, Florida is known for its hurricanes and the casualties followed by them. It is essential to be prepared and know exactly how to act around electricity when flooding happens. Here are some tips that we would recommend to use and keep in mind.

1. Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
2. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
3. Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or when you’re standing in water.
4. Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
5. If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced

Incandescent bulbs (including halogens) rely on a wire filament held inside a vacuum. When turned on, the filament heats and emits light. Both regular incandescent bulbs and halogen lights are great at producing instantaneous light at the flick of a switch. 

Their main problem, though, is that light is a byproduct of their filament wire heating up, so their main energy output is 90 percent heat. Not only do they consume a substantial amount of electricity, they have shorter lifespans than other types of bulbs.

The lifespan of incandescent lights is not affected by rapid switching, so there is no compelling reason not to switch off the lights when not in use. Leaving incandescent on for too long can harm your efficiency in another way, too, since their heat output adds to your home’s cooling load during the summer.

LED bulbs use semiconductors, are low wattage, put out nominal amounts of heat and resist vibration. Since LEDs produce light through electro-luminescence, frequently switching on and off has no effect on them.

Even though they only use a fraction of the energy of an incandescent bulb, you’re still saving energy by turning off the lights, so there’s no reason to leave them on when you leave the room.

The simple rule for using these in an energy-efficient home is to turn them off when you don’t need them.

As winter slowly comes up to doors it means that everybody will spend more time indoors and start using more electricity. This can be due to different reasons such as heating homes, power devices that are needed for working studying or entertainment, lighting houses up.
Little do most people know that electricity is a hidden danger. It is very important not to underestimate the power of electricity and the high risk of a potential fire.

In fact, one-third of all home structure fires stem from an electrical source, and because they tend to be difficult to identify, they are usually much more dangerous and destructive than other types of fires.
 We gathered some tips for you on what to do in case of electrical fire:

1. Cut off the electricity. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it. 

2. Add sodium bicarbonate. If the fire is small, you may put it out by smothering it with baking soda.

3. Remove the oxygen source. It may also be put out by removing the oxygen source with clothing or a heavy blanket if the fire is small and it is safe to do so.

4. Don’t use water to put it out. Water is a natural conductor of electricity and if you throw water on an electrical fire, you can get shocked or electrocuted. Also, water may enable to fire to spread by conducting electricity throughout the room and potentially igniting flammable materials.

5. Check your fire extinguisher. Electrical fires are a Class C fire, which means that you will need an extinguisher that is appropriate for this type of fire. Most residential fire extinguishers are multi-purpose and labeled ABC, but it is crucial to verify this before using it on an electrical fire.