Happy first day of Autumn! The pumpkin spice coffee and well, all things pumpkin have been devoured the last couple weeks. But now that summer's officially behind us, it's time to get down to business. Preparing for the colder winter is no easy feat in Eastern CT. Winters are long and harsh. Even the most seasoned New Englander needs a little help to get ready for it. Fall is the perfect time to get a head start! The Electrical Safety Foundation International [ESFI] put together this helpful checklist. Not only will your home be safer, you'll get the added rush of placing that "checkmark" next to each item.
Fall electrical safety checklist
- Safely store warm weather tools like lawn mowers and trimmers.
- Check cold weather tools, such as leaf and snow blowers, along with their power cords, for unusual wear and tear. Repair or replace worn tools or parts right away.
- Unplug and safely store battery chargers that won't be in use again until spring.
- Use only weatherproof electrical devices for outside activities. Protect outdoor electrical devices from moisture. Make sure electrical equipment that has been wet is inspected and reconditioned by a certified repair dealer.
- Keep dry leaves swept away from outdoor lighting, outlets and power cords.
- Make sure electric blankets are in good repair and certified by an independent testing lab such as UL, CSA or ETL. Power cords should not be frayed, cracked or cut.
- Do not tuck your electric blanket under mattresses or children, and do not put anything, such as comforters or bedspreads, on top of the blanket while it is in use.
- Never allow pets to sleep on an electric blanket.
More electrical safety tips
To learn more about electrical safety for your home or workplace, we highly recommend checking out ESFI. Along with articles, they create videos, kids' activities and interactive resources. They also have social media accounts to make it easier to receive information. The Tuesday Tips that they publish on Facebook are helpful and easy to share with others.If you need a local, professional electrician to help you with any of the items on the checklist, you can reach us by calling 860-228-1036.
