Portable generators & space heaters
Portable heaters and generators are convenient, but use them with extreme caution.
The wiring inside most older houses wasn’t designed to handle the electrical needs we have today. Resist the urge to perform workarounds when doing electrical work inside your home.
In fact, many insurance companies won't cover older homes with knob-and-tube wiring - even if it's been inspected.
If you're not sure what kind of wiring is inside your walls - or if you're considering buying an older home - call a certified electrician to inspect the entire electrical system.
If you're planning a home improvement project, shut of the power at the service panel, and use extreme caution when removing outlets, drilling holes or removing wall boards.
Grounding is another common issue in older homes. Modern homes are required to have a ground connection to ensure that in the event of a short circuit, current will flow through the ground system and trip a breaker or blow a fuse instead of back through the electrical appliance.
However, many older homes have ungrounded outlets - only two slots instead of three - and this can be a problem with all the three-pronged cords that fill your home.
It's tempting to just work around the problem, but keep in mind the consequences can be dangerous.
If you've invested in a computer, a high-definition TV or other sensitive electronics, also keep in mind that power surges carry a greater risk with older, ungrounded wiring. To protect your equipment, talk to your electrician about wiring upgrades and surge protection.
Portable heaters and generators are convenient, but use them with extreme caution.
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Using universal design principals, your home can adapt to your changing lifestyle needs.
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Taking a few minutes to check power tools before and after using will keep them in good working order and will keep you safe.
Keep these safety guidelines in mind when using gas-consuming products such as stoves, clothes dryers, water heaters and furnaces.
Drying clothes takes a lot of energy. Keeping your dryer vent clean makes your appliance more energy efficient.
GFCI outlets should be used by all water sources to prevent electric shock. Find out why.
The best way to weather a storm is to have a safety plan in place ahead of time.