May is National Electrical Safety Month, which is appropriate given the fact that this time of year is when many Virginians began taking out electric lawn equipment, setting up their swimming pools and undergoing major home renovations that necessitate the use of electrical devices. As a result, Virginia residents are more likely to encounter electrical hazards or fall victim to an electrical mishap in the spring than probably any other time of year.

According to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are roughly 400 electrocutions in the United States annually. Of those 400, almost half are related to consumer products that are mishandled, installed poorly or have faulty wiring. The largest portion of these fatalities involve large household appliances that are used by millions of Americans every day.

While 20 percent of the total mishaps were caused by faulty wiring, another big percentage of electrocutions are actually related to the power lines. Nearly 5 percent of all deaths from these electrocutions were caused when a ladder contacted one of these high-voltage wires during routine home maintenance.

If you are looking to undergo a home renovation that requires use of a ladder, be careful to avoid placing it anywhere near your home's main connection to the power grid. You don't even have to come into direct contact with these lines to become electrocuted, as a good portion of these incidents are caused by electrical arcing between the wire and a ladder. Because of this danger, remain at least 10 feet beneath any power line when you set your ladder up.

The holiday season is a magical time, when everyone’s spirits lift and goodwill is shown to all. This buoyant mood is magnified by the sparkling Christmas lights we use to decorate our homes and with it comes the rise in energy use as a result.

Don’t let rising energy costs prevent you from decking your home in the finest lighting fashions of the season. Instead, follow these tips to reduce energy use during the holidays.

LED lights are highly energy efficient. Compared to a string of traditional holiday lights, a string with Energy Star LED bulbs uses up to 90 percent less electricity, and the light LEDs produce is just as bright.

Another advantage is that LEDs won’t burn out. Due to their high durability, you won’t spend the first hour of stringing lights hunting down and replacing burned-out bulbs. Using these lights indoors, you won’t have to worry as much about fire hazards because they run much cooler than incandescent bulbs.

LEDs not only save energy, they come in a marvelous array of twinkling, fading light effects to make your holiday display sparkle. Traditional light strings have given way to LED ropes, spotlights, and even laser light shows.

There’s no need to light your display when no one can appreciate it. Instead of burning the lights all day and night, just turn them on when it’s dark and the neighborhood is busy. This way, everyone enjoys the display and you save energy.

By automatically controlling your lights, your energy savings can be even higher. Instead of relying on your memory to turn the lights on and off, use an automation system, such as HomeWorks from Lutron, to do it for you. Such a system offers benefits beyond turning lights on and off; it can improve lighting use throughout your home and provide added exterior security.

Even a modest display of holiday lights can consume a lot of energy. You may choose to only light your Christmas tree, but you can do it economically. However, because of the latest advances in energy-saving lights, you don’t have to limit yourself to a few lights on a tree.

Hang strings of LED sparklers from the eaves, trim the evergreen in the front yard, and install a few lighted reindeer or a Santa Claus on the lawn. Get into the holiday spirit without breaking the bank and contact Bryant Electric Service today for your lighting needs.

The holiday season is here—how does your house look? If you’ve been putting off hanging your lights for any reason, don’t wait any longer—call Kolb Electric! We’re currently running a holiday light hanging service to help get your home decorated in time for all the festivities. We’re also offering $25 off any service call over $200!

To learn more about these great offers, click here!