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ELECTRIC NOTES
CELEBRATE SAFELY—LEAVE EXPLOSIONS TO THE EXPERTS
Fireworks are an Independence Day tradition, but lighting them is a job better left to the professionals.
Mishandled fireworks can cause serious fires and life-threatening burns. Exploding fireworks are especially dangerous if they come into contact with power lines.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety reports that more than 9,000 people are treated for fireworks-related injuries every year. Even tiny sparklers—a favorite of little kids—can reach a staggering 1,800 degrees, quickly causing dangerous burns even with minor skin contact.
Keep kids entertained with safe alternatives. Buy inexpensive glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets that will stay lighted all night. Battery-operated fiber-optic sparklers will put on a colorful show year after year without the danger of fireworks.
Instead of putting on an amateur show at home, take your family to see a local display that’s put on by experts and supervised by fire officials.
If at-home fireworks are legal in your community and you do choose to light them, follow these safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:
• Check that all fireworks come from a reputable source. Follow all safety directions on the package.
• Light fireworks outdoors only and keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire.
• Never let small children touch, hold or light fireworks.
• Prepare an area for shooting off fireworks and keep spectators far away.
• Never relight a “dud.” Wait 20 minutes, then drop it in a bucket of water.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Only use fireworks as intended. Never alter or combine them.
• Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can.
KEEP THE POOL SAFE AND COOL
Few things refresh like a quick dip in a cool pool on a hot summer day. Keep your family’s summer fun safe.
Kids require constant supervision as drowning can happen in mere seconds. And any place that water and electricity potentially meet can quickly become a hazard. Pools and spas often have electric underwater lights, circulating pumps and heaters. Improperly installed or poorly maintained wiring can pose a danger.
Here are a few tips for poolside safety:
• Build a fence or other barrier to separate the pool from the house and yard. Padlock fence gates to keep your children safe and to prevent neighborhood children from wandering into the pool area.
• Never leave children alone near the pool or any water source.
• Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all outlets that power outdoor electric equipment. When a GFCI detects an electricity leak, it immediately shuts off power to prevent an electrical shock.
• Never use extension cords to power pool equipment.
• Hire a licensed electrician or qualified pool professional to check that your pool’s wiring and installation are up to code and pose no hazards.
SURGE PROTECTION NOT JUST FOR STORMS
It only takes a second for a power surge to destroy your computer, plasma TV or other expensive electronic equipment.
Power surges happen when elec-tricity flow is quickly disrupted and restored or when something sends electricity flowing back into your home. Some power surges are internal and happen every day when large appliances start up and shut down.
The most dangerous and noticeable ones usually happen during storms, when trees topple onto power lines. These surges can cause instant damage to anything plugged into your home’s power circuit. But even smaller surges over time can slowly damage your appliances and shorten their useful life.
The most common surge protectors are those that plug into the wall and have multiple outlets, much like a power cord. But not all power strips offer surge protection.
A good surge protector will have an indicator that tells you when a surge has been blocked. Look for surge protectors with a “joule rating” of 400 to 600. This measures the device’s ability to absorb surges.
These can protect your equipment, but only to a certain degree. If the surge is larger than that joule capacity, anything plugged into the protector can be damaged.
The best protection can be found in a whole-house surge protector, which connects at your electric panel. Though they cost $150 to $300, these surge protectors will guard against both daily surges and devastating storm surges for all of your home’s equipment, and they can handle a much greater surge capacity.
Whether your electronic equipment is big or small, protect it with a surge protector.
For extra protection, turn off and unplug all unused appliances or electronics prior to a storm. If the electricity goes out, turn off the appliances that were in use to avoid a surge when electricity is restored.
DOWNED POWER LINE? STAY AWAY!
If you see a fallen power line, call your electric cooperative immediately. Call 911 if it is a medical or life-threatening emergency. Never touch a downed power line. Always assume all power lines to be energized. Stay at least 100 feet away.
Remember, if a power line is touching someone, stay away. If you attempt rescue, you could easily become a victim yourself. Call for emergency help.
If a downed power line falls across your vehicle, stay in the vehicle. Do not get out unless the vehicle is on fire! If you must get out of the vehicle, try to do so without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
HAVE YOU REPLACED YOUR WINDOWS?
Have you replaced your windows?
Most homes have single-pane windows, which means there’s not much separating the inside of your home from the outside.
During summer, the sun’s hot rays can beam right through a flimsy, single-pane window, making your air-conditioning system work overtime. In winter, leaky windows can account for 10 percent to 25 percent of your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Consider replacing your windows with energy-efficient, double-pane models. While you shop, look for windows with a high R-value, which measures how much heat can get through the window in an hour. The greater the R-value, the greater your energy savings will be.
The Department of Energy recommends a double-pane window with a high-performance coating, which can have an R-value of 5. Choose a window with a low-emissivity (low-E) or spectrally selective coating, which will prevent the heat from penetrating the glass in the summer. R-values as high as 10 are for homes in super-cold climates.
Choose windows that bear the Energy Star label, which means they meet strict energy-efficiency standards. If you are building a new home, installing energy-efficient windows might save you money by allowing you to purchase a smaller heater or air-conditioning unit.
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