What’s all the buzz about? Through smart-tech and general technology improvements, modern homes are getting safer and safer every year, which we can all be happy about. But that doesn’t mean we as homeowners should let our guard down! Electrical safety is still a big, big deal, and tons of fires are reported every year due to electrical failures or misuse. Some of the causes are even really odd, or something you might not expect. Do you know all of the dangers potentially lurking in your home?

At Kolb Electric, your safety and the electrical safety of your home is our absolute priority in all cases. Superior electrical service may be our pride, but safety will always come first and foremost! Today we’re here to talk about some hidden home threats, and what you can do to avoid them.

Looking for electrical services for your Bethesda home? Contact Kolb Electric today!

We all know that there are risks with say, outlets, or a damaged appliance. But there are plenty of problems that can come right out of the woodwork (sometimes literally!). Be aware of these potential problems, and prepare your home accordingly:

Need some trustworthy service from a certified electrician to shore up the defenses in your Maryland home? Contact Kolb Electric today! We’ve been putting the needs of our consumers first and foremost for nearly a century, and our experts are always ready to assist!

This week, I participated in a weekly twitter chat calledTweetChat, with whom I have no affiliation but do use) Wednesdays at 2 p.m. EST and use the hashtag #KBTribeChat. Information about the interesting conversation. One of the questions was about using lighting to personal kitchens and baths. Of course, this got me very excited. I inadvertently learned that Twitter is great if you have a little that you kind of want to say. It’s terrible when you have a LOT that you REALLY want to say. That 140 character limit becomes a cruel, tyrannical constraint. So I thought to myself: You’ll just have to wait until you get back home to the blog, where you can write actual paragraphs, to answer this question. Ahhh. It feels good now to have a little room to stretch out.

So, how can you use lighting to personalize a space? Here are 4 things to keep in mind.

1) Fixture and Light Source

If you have ever dreamed about running your home on solar power, but have always chalked it up to one of those fantasies you will never see come true, think again. Solar power is becoming more and more popular with today’s technology and the world’s desire to save our natural resources. Relying on the sun to power your home isn’t something that is reserved for those who live in the backwoods areas. Every person can equip their home with solar panels and begin to take advantage of the free energy the sun provides. An electrician in Beverly Hills can help your dream of using clean, renewable energy a reality. You will find a team of electricians at The Electric Connection who are familiar with the installation of solar power panels.

Nowadays, solar panels are much more compact as well as aesthetically appealing. They will typically comply with any covenants a neighborhood may impose. The panels are mounted directly to the roof and do not take up any space in your landscaping. There are several different types and brands of solar panels you can talk about with your electrician. Beverly Hills homeowners will want to choose what is right for their needs.

In many cases, homeowners are simply looking for a way to offset their electric bill, but are not trying to rely completely on solar power to power the home. This is an excellent way to save money every month. Your solar installer will know which panels will work best for your home’s locations and your needs. Not all panels are created equal. If you lived in a heavily shaded area, you will need a panel that has a higher conversion rate. All of this is information you can get from the folks at The Electric Connection when you call today.

As part of our series on pop culture from 15 years ago – a continuing celebration of our 15th anniversary as Pegasus Lighting – here are 15 moments from March 1999 you may remember. Monica Lewinsky’s book on her affair with Bill Clinton goes on sale; the Dow Jones average beats 1000 for the first time; and The Matrix is released. Ah, the sweet 90s. Where were you?

1. Jar Jar Annoys Basically Everyone

At the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies, the award for Worst Supporting Actor went to Ahmed Best, who voiced the character Jar Jar Binks in STAR WARS: EPISODE 1, THE PHANTOM MENACE. Poor Jar Jar, you-sa not much appreciated by STAR WARS fans.

2. The Worst Picture of the Year

The Roth 401(k) combined elements of the Roth IRA and the traditional 401(k). In a traditional 401(k), you contribute income without paying taxes on it. You then pay taxes on the funds when you withdraw them during retirement. With the Roth 401(k), however, you pay the taxes upfront so that you can withdrawal funds tax-free during retirement.

 5. The Melissa Worm Attacks the Internet

At the end of March 1999, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 10,000 mark at 10,006.78. This was unprecedented! People made “DOW 10,000” hats and celebrated. In hindsight, people wonder whether that day represented the peak of our economy’s health up to that point or the peak of market excess that was responsible for the economic instability of the 2000s.

7. You Are the One, Neo

Legendary film director Steven Spielberg was once again named Best Director at the Academy Awards for SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. In fact, the director of early 80s movies like E.T. was on a real tear, just coming off of the JURASSIC PARK series and SCHINDLER’S LIST. He continues to direct great movies today.

9. Roberto Begnigni Is Exuberant 

Roberto Benigni won Best Actor for his role in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL at the 1999 Academy Awards. His reaction immediately became more popular that the movie itself. I’ll have a glass of whatever he’s drinking!

10. Gwyneth Wins Best Actress

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE was the most awarded film of the night of the Academy Awards. Perhaps the most touching award acceptance, though, was Gwyneth Paltrow’s. Try to watch her acceptance speech without getting teary. I dare you.

11. Lewinsky Tells All

In March, 1999, The Supreme Court of the United States upheld the murder convictions of Timothy McVeigh for the Oklahoma City bombing, which left too many dead and wounded to even go into detail here. It was a tragic and totally unnecessary crime, and the Supreme Court decision echoed the feelings of many Americans.

14. Stanley Leaves Us

On the day after we lost Stanley Kubrick, we lost another beloved American hero, the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio. His death was caused by lung cancer. He was 84 and sure saw America from an interesting point of view. The loss of this former star was felt all over the nation.

It’s fun to think back to these moments in the popular culture of 1999, even though not everything that happened was happy. Most of us lived through all these events and remember them well. Come back next month to see what we resurrect next.