We live in a wired world, appliances, lights, computers, and more need to  be plugged in.  All of those wires can become unsightly  depending on where they need to be run.  Think of a flat screen TV with the mess of wires hanging behind it, instead of being hidden—which would look better?

Unfortunately, phone and cable providers generally will not run wires based on a homeowner’s preference, and many of these companies will only wire on the exterior of a home. They will do things the easiest way possible, which usually involves running cables on the outside of the house and drilling in at the point of use. This may leave you with wires and cables placed along your walls not to your preference.

Some homes have certain wires—phone lines, typically—that are built in, but very few homes have cables for TV or other networks hardwired.    These phone and cable wiring issues could cause problems with connectivity and performance of certain devices.

Although Christmas is now behind us, we are still deep in the midst of winter. The ground is frosty early in the morning, and the temperature throughout the day can easily fall below zero. When traversing through your daily routine this winter, be prepared for the worse and stop accidents in the home before they happen. Here are some winter electrical safety tips that could prevent serious injury and harm:

Keep away from downed power lines – A few weeks ago we discussed power line safety. This is a hot topic during the winter because roads are slippery and car accidents increase. If a car hits a power line and the electrical wiring falls down, keep at least three metres or 10 feet away. Power lines are very powerful and can cause serious electrocution if you are not careful. Keep your family and children educated, as they could come across a downed power line during their daily commute. Always call 911 when you see a power line down.

Place your space heater at a safe distance – Space heaters are a great way to keep specific rooms warm without ramping up monthly heating bills. Because of the high heat output of electrical heaters, it is important to keep them away from flammable material.  Ensure that they are not in contact with any furniture, rugs, and curtains. If you feel surrounding objects becoming hot, move the heater. Fires are easily started if the heater is unattended. Always turn off the heater when it’s not in use.

Ensure your backup generator is ready to go – As we said, dangerous road conditions can cause damage to power lines and in turn results in power outages. For those homes and businesses equipped with standby generators, it is a good time to have regular maintenance and check-ups done. Have a professional inspect the power generator to ensure that oil levels and gas levels are correct, and the connection to the home is safe and secure. If a power outage occurs, you want to be confident that it will power your home/business when it needs to.

Avoid using candles during power outages – Many people use candles to light their rooms during power outages. While this can deliver a nice ambience, it is very dangerous. If the candles are unattended or wax drips and causes build up around the candle, it can result in a fire. Instead, use flashlights or LED candles.

Unplug major appliances during power outages – During an extended power outage, unplug your major appliances (oven, fridge, freezer, television) and turn off light fixtures (You can leave on some lights so you know when the power returns). This can prevent power surges from occurring and damaging the appliances when power returns.

Prepare an emergency safety kit for long outages – To be prepared for extended power outages or even in the event of a serious natural disaster, have an emergency kit ready. The emergency kit should be readily accessible and contain batteries, flashlight, blankets/sleeping bags/warm clothes, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and sufficient water for your family. This will keep your family warm, fed, and safe during an emergency. Check with your local safety authorities and put together a safety kit.

The winter can bring harsh weather conditions that affect our daily lives. With the proper precautions you can be prepared for the worst situations. If you have questions about your home electrical system during the winter or power generators, contact your local Expert Electric at 604-681-8338.

Ah, yes, the kitchen—the hub for social interaction, a space for culinary inspiration, and if you’re not careful, a prime spot for electrical problems. Truth to be told, kitchen lighting in Fairfax, VA is more important than you realize. You’re probably used to passing through your kitchen so many times on a daily basis that you don’t really take the lighting into consideration. But if by chance that you do notice it, you may looked around and said, “Wow, this lighting really needs to get in with the times.”

When the power goes out, it is a bit of a novelty. It can be kind of romantic and does bring families together for a short while. You may pull out a couple of candles and sit around and chat for a bit about your day or your child’s day. It isn’t bad and is almost a welcome respite from a fast paced world. And then after about an hour or so, you and the kids start to get a little bored. You are probably thinking of the 101 things you need to get done, but can’t because you don’t have power. The batteries on the various gadgets that have been keeping the kids occupied will die and you are going to be left with some bored, cranky family members. An electrician in Los Angeles can help you avoid all of that with the installation of a standby generator. At The Electric Connection, you will discover a team of knowledgeable and professional staff who are ready to help you.

A standby generator keeps your home powered during a power outage so you can continue with life as you know it. You can choose the size of your generator based on the size of your home and your home’s power needs. If you want to power just one room and the essentials like your refrigerator and freezer, you can or you can buy a generator that will power the entire house.

Families with small children who may be afraid of the dark and don’t appreciate candlelight dinners or reading a book by candlelight will certainly benefit from a generator installation. Because there is some Los Angeles electrical wiring involved, the generator will need to be hooked up to the home’s main power by an electrician. This ensures your generator is safe to use. If you would like to learn more about generators, give The Electric Connection a call today.