Throughout much of the country, there's always the chance that a winter snowstorm could disrupt your best-laid plans. School can get canceled, and though it's less likely, you might even get the day off of work. But once you're left to your own devices, what do you do with the day?

Snow Day Activities

Suddenly have the day off? Looking to fill some time with the family? Here are a few ideas to help make the most of the opportunity:

The Classics. Since you already owe your day off to the snow, you may as well pay it tribute. Pull the sled out of the garage and find the best hill in town. Grab a friend and build a snowman. Find even more friends for a snowball fight. Flop on the lawn and make a snow angel. You're never too old to enjoy a good snowfall!

Build Snowcastles. Your beach bucket and shovel don't need to wait around in storage until summer. Take them outside and build a kingdom of snowcastles -- if the snow is wet enough.

Make a Rainbow. Fill spray bottles with water and a few drops of food coloring, and let the kids go outside to create their own artwork in the snow. There's no mess, and it's a great way to make the world your canvas.

Bake Cookies. If it's just too cold to be outside, make things warmer inside by whipping up a batch of homemade cookies or your favorite baked treat.

Indoor Snowflakes. Bring that snow day magic indoors by making unique snowflakes out of coffee basket filters. Simply flatten a filter, fold it in half at least three times over and use scissors to cut designs of your choosing. When you're done, unfold the filter and see your symmetrical snowflake!

Do a Good Deed. If the snow has piled up, chances are you know at least one neighbor with a snow-covered sidewalk or driveway. Chip in to keep the neighborhood safe by shoveling it for them.

When the Power Goes Out

Because snow days are called for inclement weather, there's always the possibility that conditions will force a few power lines to the ground. This is an especially serious concern if the storm includes a lot of freezing rain, which can accumulate on power lines and weigh them down.

If the power goes out in your neighborhood, be sure to follow these basic safety tips:

Look carefully for downed power lines. If and when you see one, don't approach it. Call 911 immediately to report the location.

Turn on your local radio and keep your smartphone active for emergency weather alerts. If circumstances are expected to worsen, you'll want to know in advance so you can make additional preparations.

Look after the well being of your neighbors, especially those who are older or disabled. Some homes may be without heat or the ability to cook at home.

Drive with extreme caution if you must go anywhere. A power outage in your area may also mean that nearby traffic lights are disabled, requiring motorists to be exceptionally alert.

If you're lucky enough to get a snow day this winter, make the most of it! And if you're tiring of the disruption, contact your local electricians to inquire about backup generators and other solutions for your home comfort.

If you own a business and you’re considering exterior pole lighting, you might be unsure of whether or not it’s the right choice for you. Read on to discover the various ways your business can benefit from this illuminating investment.

Exterior pole lighting might not seem like a necessity, but it comes along with certain advantages for both residential and commercial properties. Many homeowners enjoy having this kind of lighting near their porch or front walkway, as it can help give their property a more pleasant appearance. Although this is certainly great for nighttime dinner guests, the benefits of exterior lamps are even more noticeable when it comes to businesses.

When the sun goes down, and all the other storefronts fall into the shadows, exterior pole lighting can help you stand out. Exterior lamps can light up your sign and make your business more recognizable, all while helping people spot you with little difficulty.

Beams from pole lights can provide a large amount of illumination, which you can use to direct people’s attention wherever you want it to go. Like the walkway leading into your business, for example.

There is a lot of variety when it comes to exterior pole lights and the options at your disposal. A number of different looks can be achieved, such as using frosted glass to hide the bulb while also creating a more elegant appearance. With all the options available, you can easily get exterior pole lights in a design that compliments the theme of your business.

Aside from adding functionality and attractiveness to your space, exterior lights can also help your place of business look more impressive and legitimate to prospective customers. If a person walking down the street one evening needs to choose between two competing businesses, it’s likely they’ll come to the storefront marked by a welcoming light out front. Especially if the competitor has a shadowy awning with words they can barely read.

If you are looking at your electricity bill and trying to determine where your money is going you need to know what appliances are using the most electricity. This will help you make better decisions about where to cut back in your home to truly make a difference on your electric bill. A Pasadena electrician has a list of the top 10 energy users in your home. If you would like to learn more about buying energy efficient appliances or other ways to save on your electric bill, give The Electric Connection a call today.

1-The biggest electricity user in your house is your air conditioning. With the height of summer just around the corner, it is time to start thinking of better, more energy efficient ways to cool your home. You can have a ceiling fan installed by an electrician. Pasadena homeowners can still stay cool without relying solely on the air conditioner.

2-Your refrigerator is next on the list. While you can’t really do without a refrigerator, you can invest in one that is more energy efficient than your existing one.

3-Space heaters, if you use them, are also big electricity users. Consider investing in an infrared heater.

4-Water heaters use a lot of electricity. You can reduce the need for the heater to constantly heat the water by ensuring it is insulated. Reduce the temperature on your water heater a few degrees as well.

5-Lighting is your next issue to tackle. You can save money on lighting by switching to LEDs and CFLs. Making sure lights are off when nobody is in the room and installing dimmer switches are also helpful.

These are just a few things you can do to reduce your electric bill. Making a few changes today can start saving you money on your next electric bill. Give The Electric Connection a call today to schedule your ceiling fan installation.