Dominic, the owner of Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions, started working with his electrician dad at 8 years old. Watching his dad and learning the trade from him, he wanted to continue the legacy of providing high-quality craftsmanship and safe electrical services to this community and beyond. That mission and purpose drove him to become a Master Electrician and to open up his own company. Because we’re families working to keep families safe in the local Flagstaff community, we wanted to cover a topic on summer electrical safety and how to keep you and your family safe, especially during summer.
Monsoon in Arizona
Outdoor Electrical Safety
Summer is here, and you’re trying to soak up the sunshine as long as possible. We get it—we are too! We have some tips for you and your family regarding electrical safety while out at play. Most of these tips are easy to follow and take seconds to do!
Inspect Outdoor Wiring and Fixtures
While the sun is out and your kids are home from school, you’re likely playing in the backyard. When you’re out there watching them, do a quick sweep of the backyard and check for damaged or worn outdoor outlets and cables. If you notice condensation inside outdoor outlet covers, there’s a leak in the cover, and that has the potential to be extremely dangerous. It may cause a shock or spark when something is plugged into it. Frayed cords can also be dangerous or cause a shock if there’s water present, which is completely possible during monsoon storms. Be sure to replace or repair damaged electrical components when you see them, and unplug or turn off breakers when necessary. If you’re not sure what to do, feel free to give us a call, and we’ll be more than happy to help out!
Use Weather-Resistant Extension Cords
Not all extension cords are created equal. The main difference between indoor and outdoor cords is the insulation within the cord. Cords for outdoors use a bright orange, vinyl, or plastic covering that protects against moisture and weather conditions. Be mindful that sunlight can break down extension cords, which need to be inspected regularly. Outdoor extension cords also have three-prong plugs.
Indoor extension cords have little protection or insulation and are more likely to get damaged, frayed, or broken down in the sun. This can cause shorts, tripped breakers, and sparks or smoke.
You’ll also want to avoid overloading extension cords and not plugging too many electrical devices into the cord. Outdoor equipment like yard tools, kid’s play equipment, and outdoor sound equipment can overload the outlet, causing a breaker to trip.
Safe Use of Outdoor Appliances and Tools
Be mindful when using and storing lawnmowers, trimmers, and other tools. It’s easy to get lost in a task and not realize that you’re cutting through the extension cord and possibly giving yourself a good shock! We recommend using a bright orange extension cord when using outdoor tools to stand out against the background. You’re less likely to cut through the cord accidentally.
It’s also important to be safe around water and any electrical tools. If it starts raining, it’s time to take a break, unplug your device, store it safely, and go inside until the storm passes.
Indoor Electrical Safety
There are several things to be mindful of when it comes to indoor electrical safety. Here are some recommendations we have so that you and your family stay safe during the summer months in Flagstaff.
Preventing Electrical Fires
Electrical fires are more common than you might think. In 2021, there were 24,200 reported electrical fires, according to the US Fire Department. That’s the cause of about 13% of house fires. While that might sound scary, there are several preventative measures that you can take to keep your home safe.
First, you’ll want to avoid overloading outlets and circuits. A good rule of thumb is that you can plug in two to three devices at a time into a single socket. Before adopting this rule, there are a few things you need to think about. The most important factor is the amperage of the circuit breaker. This can get a bit complicated, so call us if you have any questions!
We always recommend using surge protectors for electronics in the unlikely event that the power goes out or a lightning bolt strikes your home and a surge of electricity passes through it. This can cause a lot of damage to not just your electrical system but also your electronics.
One last piece of advice for preventing electrical fires is to regularly inspect your smoke detectors. Smoke detectors will be your first warning sign, especially if an emergency happens at night. If you’re in a home and the smoke detector goes off and you see smoke, the first action plan is to call 911 to come out and inspect your home. The fire department will be able to figure out the cause, and if it’s electrical, call us to fix or replace the faulty wiring! We have 24/7 emergency services for situations like this – your peace of mind is our top priority!
Air Conditioning and Fan Safety
While most homes in Flagstaff don’t have a central AC, most homes now have plug-in AC units and utilize fans to keep cool during summertime. These AC units and fans can pull more electricity and require basic maintenance to be safe all summer long. You’ll want to regularly clean and maintain AC filters, especially if you have pets. We also recommend that you plug in these units directly into the wall and not use extension cords.
Pool and Water Safety
Electrical Safety Around Pools and Hot Tubs
If you are fortunate enough to have a pool or hot tub in Northern Arizona, it’s important to keep all electrical devices away from water. When you’re working in the backyard, be mindful of where your extension cords are in relation to the pool or hot tub. You’ll also want to only use ground fault circuit interrupters or GFCIs outside because they’ll stop the current of electricity at the outlet instead of traveling through your home or garage to the breaker.
It’s important to have regular inspections and maintenance of pool lighting and electrical systems. We recommend once-a-year checkups, especially after winter!
Summer Storm Preparedness
Power Outage Safety
With summer monsoons rolling, it’s important always to be prepared in the event of a power outage. Monsoon storms can knock trees over into power lines, or lightning can strike, which can cause a power outage. While the power outage will likely be temporary, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
We recommend having an emergency kit with the following in it:
- Flashlights and Extra Batteries
- Candles and Matches/Lighters
- Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio
- Portable Phone Charger or Power Bank
- First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptics, medications, and necessary personal prescriptions
- Blankets and Warm Clothing
- Cash: In small denominations, ATMs and card readers might not work.
- Food and Water
- Non-Perishable Food
- Books, playing cards, or board games to pass the time
Lightning Protection
Monsoon storms in Northern Arizona often bring lightning. To safeguard your home against a lightning strike, we recommend installing surge protectors—either a whole-home surge protector or surge protectors on expensive electronic equipment.
It’s also important to head indoors during a lightning storm or seek shelter if you’re caught out in one. Also, avoid using any electrical devices while a storm is present. The good news is that monsoon storms usually move on quickly, so they won’t delay your summer fun too long!
Electrical Safety Education for Family and Children
Tiny family members are often the most curious, and electricity and tiny fingers usually don’t mix well. It’s important to teach your kids about electrical safety as soon as possible to keep your kiddos safe and prevent serious injury.
Teaching Kids About Electrical Safety
Starting as early as possible when it comes to creating awareness about the dangers of electricity and educating them on how dangerous electricity can be is a good first step. They might see mom or dad plug in something to use and want to be just like them. So they might start to get curious about outlets. We recommend outlet covers to protect those little fingers while you teach them rules around the safe use of electrical devices and outlets.
Supervision while using electrical appliances is also essential. Teach children to keep electrical devices away from water, including phones and tablets plugged into chargers and hair appliances in bathrooms.
Partnering with Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions
Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is here and ready to help you keep your home safe from any electrical harm. If you’re feeling a bit uncertain about how electrically safe your home currently is, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’ll walk through your home and point out anything that is not up to code. Our number one goal is to keep you and your family safe! That’s why we offer 24/7 service in the event of an emergency! Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions has your back!
