Electricity can be a lethal weapon that can threaten a person’s life or cause major injuries to yourself, others or your property. We would like to take the time to discuss some of the precautions to be taken after or during a power outage, flood or other life-threatening disaster.

Downed Power Lines carry large currents of electricity that could cause serious injury or even death. Never touch a downed power line with your hands or with any other object as your body is a conductor of electricity and the contact could electrocute you. If someone is in contact with the downed line, electricity can move through that person so do not touch the person. Call emergency right away.

Flooded Areas are also a large concern during a disaster. Submerged outlets or electrical cords could energize the water in a flooded area causing it to be a threat for anyone attempting to step into the area. Also, make sure to not use any electrical appliances that have been submerged under water until getting them checked by a professional. It is difficult to observe the electrical damage caused by water and without a trained eye, you could be putting yourself in danger.

Portable Generators, generally thought of as a good source of electricity and a “life saver” during a disaster, can also cause electrical safety issues. If the proper measures of care aren’t taken prior to the disaster, the portable generator could turn into an electrical safety hazard. Ensure that the generator is properly grounded, kept dry, and not overload. Do not connect the generator directly to household wiring. This can back feed along power lines and cause electrical danger to anyone who comes in contact with it.

If you are pre-warned of a potential disaster, turn off all your appliances, disconnect sockets, and switch off breakers. This will minimize the electrical dangers that may occur during or after the disaster and ultimately save the lives of your loved ones.

Contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338 for more information on the precautions you should be taking to ensure the electrical safety of your home during a disaster.

There are a lot of different portable generators on the market today, and you really want to know that you are investing in the right make and model for your needs. No, a portable generator is not an investment on the scale of a whole-house generator. However, that doesn’t mean that you want to waste money on power that you won’t need, or that it is OK to have an underpowered generator compromising your good time. That is why you should keep a few points of consideration in mind.

With a portable generator, you may choose from a few different fuel sources. Natural gas is out of the question, of course, but gasoline, propane, and diesel are all viable options. Do some research, as all offer pros and cons. Gasoline is readily available, for instance, but has a short shelf life and fluctuating prices. Propane is readily available as well, but some people may not want pressurized cans of fuel laying around. Diesel is another option to consider, though typically a bit more expensive than gasoline. Diesel engines require little in the way of maintenance and repairs, though.

The whole point of having a generator is to power any tools, appliances, and electronics that you may want to put into use at your tailgating event. If your generator is not of the right size for the job, then you will have to make compromises or potentially use alternate power sources, such as your car battery. Make sure that you are choosing a portable generator powerful enough to handle the demand that you have in mind.

We all want to save a little money and these days, it is more prudent than ever to do whatever we can to save a few dollars in the family budget. As you look at your budget and think of ways to cut costs, you have probably laid your eye on that electric bill a time or two wondering how you could make it just a little less. If this is you, then try these tips from your electrician Santa Monica home and business owners can save a few dollars by following these simple things.

1-Replace your halogen lightbulbs with CFL bulbs. The bulbs cost a bit more initially, but they are more energy efficient and they will last 13x longer than the cheaper bulbs, which actually makes them cheaper in the long run.

2-Stop phantom energy draws by unplugging appliances, cellphone chargers, and electronics when they are not in use. These draw very little energy, but when you add up the 10 to 20 things that are probably plugged in right now, it certainly adds up quick.

3-Replace appliances with energy efficient appliances. This is a big investment at first, but overtime it will save you money. Look for those with the Energy Star sticker.

4-Install a ceiling fan to cut down on the heating and cooling needs. This is a job for your electrician. Santa Monica residents can turn up or down the thermostat a couple of degrees and rely on the ceiling fan to circulate the air.

5-Only run full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine. This cuts down on the frequency in which you run the appliance and therefore, can save you a few dollars.

If you would like more tips on how you can save money on your electric bill, give The Electric Connection a call today.