We’ve certainly been on an electrical safety kick lately here at Kolb Electric. But hey, it’s for good reason! With summer weather on the rise, activity levels are at an all time high. This means more use of electrical appliances, more parties, and more traffic. Is your home safe from common causes for electrical fire? Let’s find out!

The certified electricians at Kolb have handled their fair share of dangerous situations with regards to electrical fire. When it comes to safety, there’s no better teacher!

Maryland boasts a rich, diverse population with loads of historic value and modern innovation. But some of these combinations can result in some pretty dangerous situations:

So let’s turn this list of five into a single statement. Keep your home updated! With adequate, modern, and grounded outlets you shouldn’t need excessive cords, or to use outdated tools. Looking for the upgrades and updates you need for your Maryland home? Contact Kolb today!

If you have just recently purchased a home or have concerns about the home you currently live in, you can call to have an electrical safety inspection. These inspections are performed by a knowledgeable electrician who can identify any potential hazards you may have in your home. It is always a good idea to have an inspection upon moving into a new home. It essentially gives you a peek behind the walls so you know exactly what you are getting into.

These inspections will need to be performed by an electrician. Pasadena residents can call The Electric Connection to have one of these assessments performed. If your home is older or if you have noticed some issues like tripping breakers, flickering lights or dead outlets, it is crucial you have an electrician come out. The electrician will also be looking for outdated electrical work that should be replaced to meet today’s current standards. Over the years, technology has given us safer methods of bringing electricity into our homes. You will feel safer knowing your home is up to code and as safe as possible.

There are some serious hazards that can be lurking in the walls that could end up starting a fire if left unchecked. These hazards may go unnoticed until it is too late. In many cases, there are some warning signs like the ones mentioned above and in other situations the problem goes undetected until it is too late.

During an inspection, the electrician will evaluate the home’s wiring for fraying or breaking along the line. The entire process is relatively short and inexpensive. Once the inspection is complete, you will get a report from your electrician. Pasadena homeowners will rest easy once they know the condition of their home’s wiring. Any problems that have been identified should always be fixed immediately. This is something The Electric Connection can help you take care of. Just give us a call today.

via Wikimedia

2. Ricky Martin wins Song of the Year

Puerto-Rican heart throb Ricky Martin played a huge role in bringing Latin pop to the American music scene during the 41st Grammy Awards show in February of 1999. In December he was rewarded again at the Billboard Music Awards by winning Song of the Year for his hit single “Livin’ La Vida Loca.”

Are you impressed by the nation's current lineup of efficient electrical appliances and devices? You ain't seen nothing yet, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The DOE recently released a report previewing some of the big technological breakthroughs that are poised to help you get the most out of your residential electrical work. These advances promise to reduce the energy consumption of the average household while still delivering effective performance. Read on to learn what your next refrigerator, clothes dryer and lighting system could look like.

More Efficient and Effective Electrical Work

The Department of Energy predicts the following leaps forward for some of our commonly used appliances:

Cut Back on Energy Use Sooner, Not Later

Don't wait until the future to beef up the efficiency in your home electrical work. For help identifying opportunities to cut back on energy use, contact a licensed electrician to conduct a thorough energy efficiency audit.

If there’s one thing kids seem to love, it’s playing with everything around the house other than their toys—the more dangerous the better! Electrical outlets in particular are an endless source of fascination for young children, and according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, hospitals across the country treat nearly seven children for electric shock and burn injuries related to tampering with wall outlets each day. But buying childproofing devices for your electrical outlets can be a challenge, and if you don’t choose carefully they may not fit in your outlets or may be too easy for your child to pull out. So how do you choose?

There are two types of outlets commonly seen in homes—standard and decorator outlets. You can tell them apart by looking at the number of screws they have:

Different types of outlets have different requirements for childproofing materials, so figuring out which type you have is very important. Note that standard outlets will be able to use most childproofing methods—decorator outlets are a little more complicated, but the packages on the items you buy should list whether they are compatible. Remember that most items approved for decorator outlets will not work in standard outlets, and vice-versa, so choose carefully!

Outlet covers, which usually plug right into the outlet, are a good choice for outlets that have “fixed” items that are plugged in all the time, such as lamps or televisions, as well as areas that use large adapters like at the computer. Outlet covers are effective at keeping both infants and toddlers out of the outlets, which means they’ll last for a number of years. Outlet covers for both standard and decorator outlets can be purchased.

Unlike outlet covers, safety outlet plates replace your existing outlet plates and have a small sliding door that covers the receptacle when not in use. These work best for outlets that you have to repeatedly plug things into and unplug things from, such as a vacuum cleaner. They are also difficult for children to figure out and should be effective for many years.

Ideal for outlets that are kept out of site and rarely used, outlet plugs are usually easier for kids to figure out but are still good at preventing access to the inside of the outlet. The good news is that they can be used interchangeably in standard and decorator outlets.

Keeping your children safe is your number one priority, and childproofing your electrical outlets is a great way to do that. Damaged or malfunctioning outlets can also be a major safety hazard in your home, so if you need outlet repair in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, call Kolb Electric today!