Summer Safety
June 10, 2020
Summer is finally here and Michiganders could not be more excited! Metro Electric is here to remind you to take a step back and keep a few electrical safety tips in mind when getting your yard summer-ready.
Did you know the outdoor porch light is one of the most used light fixtures in a home? Providing proper outdoor lighting offers security and adds value to your home. Consider using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with your new light installations. LEDs are highly durable and perform well in both warm and cold weather. They offer better light quality and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Make sure spotlights used to highlight outdoor objects are well-vented, protected from weather, and a safe distance from flammable items.
If there is a ground fault, the Ground Fault Circuit interrupter (GFCI) will trip (like a circuit breaker) and quickly stop electricity from flowing through a person’s body to get to the ground. Make sure all electrical equipment used for swimming pools is grounded and never handle electrical devices when you are wet, either from water or from perspiration.
Be sure to unplug outdoor tools and appliances when not in use. Inspect power tools and appliances for frayed cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housing. Repair or replace items if they are damaged. Click here to read more in-depth about the breakdown of electrical cord safety.
NEVER touch downed power lines! When landscaping, it’s important to avoid planting trees underneath power lines or near utility equipment. Keep vegetation and permanent structures away from the large, green ground-level boxes that house components of an underground electrical system. Utility workers may need to access the underground lines and equipment near these boxes during unplanned outages and routine maintenance.
Electrical renovations require specific training and skill sets. Call Metro Electric at 586.336.9121 and experience the Power of the Pro’s!