How safe are electricity sockets for kids? Electricity is an essential part of our everyday lives but can also be dangerous. Electric sockets are a common source of electrocution accidents, especially for children.

According to the National Safety Council, roughly 5 percent of all deaths due to electric shock occur in children under 5. And about half of these injuries are caused by home outlets and extension cords. Here are some actions you may do to safeguard your children from electrical danger in sockets:

Use protective covers on electrical cords and cables

These safety caps look like little plastic helmets that fit over the end of extension cords so that kids don’t put them in their mouths or chew on them; they also keep pets from chewing on them as well!

Related article: Extension Cord Safety

Invest in a Cord Shortener or Cover

A cord shortener or cover will keep the cord out of reach of your child’s hands and prevent them from pulling it out from the socket. This effective safety measure can be easily implemented at home with little effort and cost required. You can buy them at affordable rates at any hardware store or online stores like Amazon or eBay. Just find the right size for your socket and plug it in!

Invest in a baby safety outlet cover box

An outlet cover box is a great way to keep your child away from power sockets and cords as it completely covers them. It comes with a self-closing mechanism so that once you plug something into it, it automatically closes itself and keeps your child away from danger. You can easily find these online or at local stores such as Walmart or Target. 

Use Self-Closing Outlet Covers

Outlet covers are one of the most effective ways by which you can keep your kids away from electrical sockets. These covers prevent kids from sticking their fingers into the sockets and thus save them from getting electric shocks. You can easily buy these covers at any local store at an affordable price. You may pick the one that best complements your child’s room or play area because they are available in a variety of colors and designs.

One thing you should remember while choosing these covers is that they should be easy enough to open up when needed by using only one hand (e.g., in case of an emergency). 

Read more: Electrical Outlet Safety: 9 Tips

Get Plastic Outlet Covers

Plastic outlet covers are great as they protect children from getting shocked by accidentally touching the exposed outlet prongs. These plastic covers come in different shapes and sizes, so you can get one that fits in your existing electrical outlets. They are very easy to install as well and do not require any tools or expertise.

Install AFCI or GFCI outlets

These outlets protect against electric shock by sensing current leakage from an appliance or device before it reaches a dangerous level and shutting down power to the circuit when such leakage occurs. Experts also recommend these devices as they protect people even if they touch metal parts of an appliance while still plugged into an outlet. This often happens with kids who like playing with cords and plugs of appliances like vacuum cleaners or blenders.

Teach Your Kids about the Dangers of Electricity

How safe are electricity sockets for kids? If there’s one thing parents need to teach their children, it’s how dangerous electricity can be. Teach them about the dangers from an early age so they’ll know what to look out for when they’re older. For example, ensure your kids know not to play with wires or touch an outlet when wet or standing in water (including while bathing). Also, ensure they don’t stick anything into a socket or try to rewire anything themselves; this could result in an electric shock or even death if something goes wrong.

More insights: Electrical Safety Tips for Children

Key Operated Sockets

Key-operated sockets are a great way to keep children away from electricity. Unlike traditional plugs, these sockets require a key to be inserted before power flows through them. This prevents children from accidentally plugging something into these sockets and getting electrocuted. These sockets are also available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and patterns, so you may choose one that best matches your decor.

Use shatter protection outlets

These outlets will not work unless all three pins are inserted into the outlet. If you have one of these types of outlets already installed in your home, then you will need to buy a new electrical socket box as well as install them both together in order for it to work properly. A shattered outlet is also known as a tamper-proof outlet because it prevents children from tampering with the electrical outlet.

Use tamper-resistant receptacles

Receptacles are the plug slots in the wall outlet. They have an internal mechanism that prevents children from inserting foreign objects (like paper clips) into them. Tamper-resistant receptacles are easier to use because they don’t require pushing down hard on the plug to insert it into the socket. In addition, they have a cover over the prongs on top of the socket which makes them harder for kids to grab onto and pull out of the wall.

Cord Protectors

Cord protectors are another easy way to keep children safe around electrical outlets. A cord protector is a flexible plastic shield that covers the entire cord length, with openings at either end so you can still plug it into the outlet. The cord protector keeps your child from touching both ends of an extension cord at once, which could result in electrocution or an electrical burn if they accidentally touched both sides of the socket simultaneously. 

Conclusion

How safe are electricity sockets for kids? Despite all the benefits of technology and science, teaching kids about electrical safety is important. Just like adults, children are especially at risk of getting hurt or even killed by electricity. It is never too early to teach your little ones about electrical safety. So the next time you head out to pick up a new electrical toy or appliance for your home, remember that child-friendly power outlets in your house can prevent accidents. 

How to cut energy usage in commercial buildings? Cutting energy usage in commercial buildings is a challenge for many businesses. There are numerous reasons for this, including the fact that the buildings are typically large and often contain multiple tenants. Each tenant will have their own needs and requirements, making it difficult to manage the building.

The good news is that there are many ways to reduce this consumption, with little or no investment from building owners.

Here are some reliable tips to guide you:

Track Your Energy Usage

Tracking your current energy consumption should be the first step you take to reduce the roaring consumption. The easiest way to do this is by installing smart meters in each building room and monitoring it with an app or software. You’ll get precise information on your electricity usage and where it is used by tracking your consumption. It will also enable you to set up alerts when certain areas start consuming too much power, such as a room full of computers or air conditioning units that could have malfunctioned or need maintenance. In addition, by knowing how much electricity your business consumes and how much it costs, you can begin to identify areas where you can save money on your electric bill.

Focus on insulation

Insulation is one of the most important things you can do to reduce energy usage in commercial buildings. The more insulation you have in place, the more comfortable people will feel at work while lowering their utility bills. It also helps keep buildings cooler during summer months and warmer during winter months — which means less AC use and fewer space heaters needed!

Choose the right ventilation system

The ventilation system in your building can make a big difference in saving on energy consumption. That’s because this is one of the biggest things that affect indoor air quality and how comfortable people feel in their space. If you’re not careful about choosing the right kind of ventilation for your building, you could face problems like mold growth or moisture buildup on the walls and windows. This leads to higher costs for maintenance and repair — not to mention higher utility bills from having to run an HVAC unit longer than necessary just so that people feel comfortable in their space!

Use smart lighting systems

Smart lighting systems are another way to reduce your energy usage. These systems allow you to control the lights in specific building areas. So, if you’re leaving an area but don’t want the lights on, they’ll turn off automatically when they detect no movement for a certain amount of time. This saves both money and energy from being wasted on unnecessary light usage.

Incorporate Natural Light Wherever Possible

You can have a lot of natural light available during the day depending on where your business is located. However, not every firm has the luxury of utilizing enormous skylights or windows for their operations.If this is the case for you, consider installing track lighting above your workstations and desks to give employees some extra light during the day. Also, make sure that any desks that do not have windows are equipped with task lighting so employees can still see what they are doing when working in low-light areas.

Replace Old Electronics

The average lifespan of an appliance or electronic device is six years. If you have equipment that has been around longer than that, it should be replaced immediately. These older devices use more energy than newer models, and they are often less efficient.

Educate your employees on turning off electronics

You may not realize how much energy your employees use when they leave their computers turned on overnight or their phones plugged in all day. Educate them on the importance of turning off electronics when they are not being used so that they can reduce their overall energy usage.

Update your HVAC System

The most efficient HVAC units use a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system, which allows them to respond differently to different zones of your building. For example, if you have an empty office space during the day but are very busy at night, it makes sense to have the system run on low power during the day and ramp up its output at night when people are working. This means that you’re only using as much energy as necessary at any given time.

Invest in a Smart Building Technology

One of the most affordable methods to reduce energy expenses is through the use of smart building technology, which is also simple to retrofit into existing structures. You can find plenty of options on the market today that allow you to remotely monitor and control your building’s temperature, lighting levels, and more from anywhere in the world. These devices can also be programmed to automatically adjust their settings based on how many people are in each room at any given time of the day — which means more efficient energy use.

Consider switching your energy supplier

If you’re not happy with your current energy provider, it might be worth switching, especially if you’re paying more than $100 per month. Depending on where you live, multiple suppliers may offer competitive rates. So, you can compare prices online or by calling local suppliers directly.

Conclusion

How to cut energy usage in commercial buildings? Although commercial buildings come in a variety of sizes and designs, there are techniques to lower your building’s energy usage. If you’re thinking about purchasing new technology or equipment, ensure you consider the expense. You might also want to research how the renewable energy sector could help your business offset the cost of your new investments.

How to Avoid Electrical Mishaps

The electrical system in your home is an integral part of your life, but it can also be costly and dangerous. So, despite how important it is in our daily lives, electrical mishaps can be a very serious problem, especially if they are not caught in time. There are some simple things that you can do to prevent an electrical mishap from occurring. These include:

Use More Than One Outlet

If you only have one outlet in a room and it goes out, you’ll need to move all of your devices to another room. To avoid this problem, use two or three outlets throughout the house. You may even want to consider installing a power strip for smaller items that don’t need their own outlets. This way, if one item goes out, it won’t affect the others plugged into the strip.

Feel Your Outlets

If an outlet is warm or hot, you should replace it immediately. This means there’s too much heat coming off the wires inside it — which can lead to fire hazards — or that something has shorted out inside the outlet itself. Either way, it needs replacing before you get shocked or burn down your house!

Child-Proof Your Outlets

Children are curious creatures who love unravelling mysteries — including those involving electricity! So make sure that your child-proofing efforts include outlets. You should have them covered with outlet caps or place them out of reach behind furniture, so they don’t have access to them. If your child is still curious about outlets despite these precautions, consider installing an outlet cover plate with an LED light.

Investigate Flickering Lights

If lights in your home are flickering or dimming, it’s time to investigate. The first thing to do is check the circuit breaker panel to see if any breakers have been tripped. If all breakers are working properly, it may be time to call in an expert.

Install Arc-Fault Circuit-Interrupters

Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) can help prevent fires caused by arcing faults — when electricity jumps from wire to wire instead of flowing through a circuit correctly. AFCIs can detect these problems before they become serious and shut off power automatically to prevent damage to wiring or appliances and to keep people safe from electrocution. AFCIs should be installed in any outlet near water sources such as sinks, tubs and showers; around appliances such as washing machines and dryers; and anywhere else where moisture might get trapped inside electrical boxes.

Avoid overloaded or damaged extension cords

Always use extension cords with the appropriate gauge (thickness) of wire – never use an undersized cord for its intended purpose. Extension cords should not be run under rugs or furniture where they could be damaged by foot traffic or vacuum cleaners. If an extension cord is damaged in any way – melted or frayed insulation – throw it away immediately and replace it with a new one before using it again.

Replace old wiring

If you have old, damaged or worn-out wiring, it’s time to replace it. Old wiring can cause a fire and shock you. If the wiring is damaged, you might not even know about it until there is a problem. It’s important to have your home checked by a professional electrician every few years to ensure your wiring is safe and up to code. If they find any problems with your electrical system, they will repair or replace any faulty wiring as necessary.

Don’t Ignore Persistent Circuit Breaker Trips

If your circuit breaker trips more than once in a short period, there may be an issue with your wiring or other equipment. It’s always best to call an electrician if this happens so they can check out the problem and make any necessary repairs.

Leave Electrical Repairs to the Experts

Electrical repairs should be left to professional electricians unless you have experience with electrical work. If you aren’t sure what you are doing, it’s best to call in someone with the proper training and knowledge of electricity.

Be careful when drilling into walls

Drilling into a wall can cause damage that could expose wires and lead to a fire. Always use a stud finder before drilling into walls so that you don’t drill into an electrical wire or outlet. If there is no stud behind the drywall, don’t drill through it! Instead, consult an electrician about installing a new outlet box behind the drywall.

Don’t overload sockets

Remember that your home’s wiring was designed for a certain amount of current, and if you overload it by plugging in too many items, it could result in a fire or electrocution. If you have multiple appliances plugged into a single outlet, use an extension cord to give each device its own outlet.

Ensure your kids are aware of electrical hazards

Educating your children about the dangers of electricity is one of the simplest things you can do. Teach them how to identify and avoid certain safety hazards, such as frayed wires, overloaded outlets and water near electrical sockets. You should also teach them not to play around with cords or try to fix things themselves when they break or malfunction.

Conclusion

The tips offered here should give you a good starting point for avoiding electrical mishaps. Of course, if you follow these suggestions and find yourself experiencing problems, it is best to contact an electrician as soon as possible. They will be able to recognize the issue and recommend a suitable solution. Electrical safety is vital, so ensure you handle this process correctly and safely.

What Is the Difference Between Power Strips and Extension Cords

In this day and age, our daily routine involves the use of many devices and appliances. Most of the things we use to make our work or living efficient require electricity. Often, though, there are not enough outlets in the house to plug them.

Power strips and extension cords are designed for temporary use. If you need an extra wall outlet to fit your needs, call us. Our seasoned and local Colorado electricians can help with any and all electrical upgrades.

But for now, learn the difference between power strips and extension cords and how to use them safely.

What is a Power Strip?

If you ever need a temporary socket, you need a power strip. This consists of multiple electrical sockets and is designed to power up multiple small appliances. Some power strips have automatic shut-off features to prevent power overload.

When is a Power Strip ideal to use?

Since it features many electrical sockets, it can handle many devices near or next to each other. It can accommodate charging phones and tablets, electric fans, digital clocks, and lamps. It is also ideal to plug in computer desktops, monitors, and stereos.

What is an Extension Cord?

An extension cord is an electrical cable that can be short as 2 feet or can be longer than 30 feet. It has a plug that connects to an outlet and at least one socket. Essentially, an extension cord is used to extend a home or workshop’s electrical circuit.

Extension cords come in various lengths, sizes, and types.

• Light-duty extension cord

This type has only two plug prongs and is often not grounded.

• Medium-duty extension cord

This is typically grounded and has slots for three-prong cords.

• Heavy-duty extension cord

This kind is always grounded and allows for up to 15 amp of power.

When is an Extension Cord ideal to use?

Extension cords can be used both outdoors and indoors. It can charge phones, and power up small appliances and electric fans. The most common outdoor application is plugging Christmas lights. 

Extension cords are useful in a lot of situations, like when powering a drill or an oscillating saw when doing electrical work.

How to use a power strip or extension cord safely?

• Do not overfill the extension cord or power strip. They might overload and result in an accident or fire.
• Do not allow the power strip or extension cord to get wet, especially when in use.
• Store them indoors in a dry, safe place.
• Do not run them behind walls or under the floors. Accidents and fire hazards are more likely to happen if the heat from the power strip or extension cord cannot escape.
• Always tape down the extension cord or power strip when using in high-traffic areas.
• Never plug refrigerators, freezers, and other large electric appliances into a power strip or extension cord. Big appliances require more power to operate safely.
• Avoid plugging heat appliances like portable heaters and iron into an extension cord. These appliances draw more power and overload the cord.
• Never place the tension cord under a rug.
• Replace the old and damaged power strip or extension cord immediately. Do not use them again to avoid hazards. 
• When using extension cords outdoors, use weather pods to cover multiple cords.
• Pull the plug from the socket. Do not pull the cord when removing the power strip or extension cord from the wall outlet.
• As much as possible, never plug over two appliances into an extension cord or power strip. Know the amps of your power strip or extension cord to prevent overloading.
• Do not cut off ground pins in order for them to fit with extension cords or power strips that only have two holes.
• Make sure to use an extension cord or power strip that matches the wattage of the appliance, tool, or device.

It is easy to confuse a power strip with an extension cord, but their major difference lies in their purpose. A power strip is normally used to add outlets for multiple devices. Extension cords, however, stretch the power source. It is best used when doing electrical work or reaching a distant appliance.

Have an Additional Outlet Installed in Your Colorado Home

Heavy reliance on either a power strip or an extension cord means that you have too few outlets in your home. If you need an electrical outlet upgrade or need to add extra outlets around the house, call us. 

Need more outlets around your home? Installing an additional outlet will help lessen the use of extension cords. Thus, reducing trip hazards. For a job like this, ElectriCall is the experienced electrical company you need, providing excellent electrical services that meet the needs of all our clients. 

We are a licensed and skilled team of local Colorado Electrician. Our expert electricians have done many electrical projects in and around the area, whether it’s home rewiring jobs or outlet installation. We can help to disconnect wires, repair ceiling fans, maintain electrical systems, and more!

Using Common Electrical Tools Safely

To do electrical work at home correctly, you have to understand common electrical tools and how to use them safely. In this blog, you will learn about some of the hand and power tools electricians have to perform their job. Knowing these will help you do home electrical repairs safely and correctly.

Pliers

Generally, pliers are used for bending, twisting, cutting, or gripping electric wires. They are also used to reach into confined spaces or pull wires and hard-to-reach objects. Pliers are some of the most common and vital tools that any licensed electrician in Arvada use.

There are various kinds of pliers, including needle-nose pliers, diagonal-cutting pliers, and tongue-and-groove pliers.

• Needle-nose pliers are used when doing detailed work or when trimming wires for new screw terminal connections.
• Tongue-and-groove pliers are designed to adjust bolts and nuts, tighten clamps, or keep objects from moving.
• Diagonal cutting pliers are commonly used to cut screws, nails, and soft and medium wires.

When using pliers, remember these:

• Pieces of wires or objects could fly when cut using a plier, so always protect your eyes.
• Only use the plier for its designed use. Using pliers incorrectly can damage them and cause accidents.
• Even pliers have varying capabilities. Some pliers are intended for light use, so never force them beyond their level of capability.
• Live wires and pliers do not go together. Contact a professional and licensed electrician in Arvada to deal with live wires.

Plug-In Circuit Analyzer

A circuit analyzer is a device used to test circuit and wiring problems. It can also determine voltage levels and check for missing ground fault protection. Some circuit analyzers comprise different buttons to test GFCIs and toggle between functions. Others simply have neon lights that will light up to show specific results.

The primary purpose of a circuit analyzer is to test outlets after installation. Using a plug-in circuit analyzer is easy, but you need to understand standard and GFCI outlets.

A typical outlet has three holes. The smaller one is for the hot wire, which can really hurt you. The larger hole is common, which means it is not hot until a current passes through it, and then below that is the hole for the ground wire.

Multimeter

This device is more sophisticated than a plug-in circuit analyzer. It is capable of reading AC and DC voltage, frequency, resistance, capacitance, and continuity. 

• Remember to do safety precautions when using a multimeter. This device can cause electrical shock when handled incorrectly.
• Never touch the probe tips of the multimeter when reading, especially when testing with a live current.
• Before using it, check the meter for signs of physical damage that may cause faulty results or accidents.
• Never adjust the settings of the device while it is in use or while the metal tips are connected to a circuit.

After using the device, store it in a dry and safe place where it will not get damaged. If it is not going to be used for a long period, remove its batteries to prevent corrosion at the battery connections.

Fish Tape

Other electrical tools that are in an Arvada electrician’s tool belt is fish tape or draw tape. The fish tape is used to pull electrical wires through holes in studs, electrical conduits, floor-to-floor, or room-to-room.  If you need to fish electrical or other wires through a wall, you must have this tool. Here is how to use fish tape correctly and safely:

• Prepare the area where you will be carrying out the electrical work. Turn off the power and use a current tester to see if the power is off.
• Seal the end of the fish tape with electrical tape then extend it from one opening of the conduit to another.
• Strip off about six inches of insulation from the wire and then install it into the end of the fish tape. Make a hook and crimp to hold the wire and fish tape together.
• If pulling multiple wires, make sure to stagger for about two or three inches. Using the electrical tape, secure the wires and work your way to the fish tape.
• Reverse the fish tape with the wires in the conduit, at least past the tape before starting to pull.

These are just some of the electricians who will need to work and perform the basic electrical tools at home. Knowing the common tools and how to use them correctly will help prevent accidents from happening.

Prevent Hazards, Call Your Local Arvada Electrician

If you are looking for local electrical services, give ElectriCall a call. We are an electrical service company based in Arvada that you can trust. We carry out our electrical services such as wire installation, electrical repair, and rewiring jobs as safely as possible.

Our Arvada electricians observe all necessary precautions. We follow codes and procedures to ensure the safety of our expert electricians and other people involved. You can count on us to fix your electrical problems correctly and safely.