When You Shouldn't Do Electrical Repairs Yourself

Many homeowners are perfectly capable of doing certain types of electrical work in their own home, but they should always be aware of their limitations. 

Sometimes it is best to leave the situation up to a professional electrician.

Installing dimmer switches and replacing an old ceiling light with a new ceiling fan are simple enough projects that someone without years of experience should be able to pull off safely. However, when it comes to extending existing electrical circuits or adding new ones, an expert electrician is almost always needed. If not the homeowner could find themselves in either one of two positions: dying from electrical shock or dying from fire. 

As a safety reminder: whenever you do attempt a do it yourself electrical project, always remember to turn off the electricity. Also, if you feel in the slightest that the project is over your head, call an electrician for help. It is always better to be safe than sorry in this situation. 

 Read for More Information:

• How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire
• How to Safely Use an Electric Generator
• Electrical Safety Tips

How to Extinguish an Electrical Fire

According to FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 25,900 home electrical fires are reported each year. These fires cause an average of 280 deaths, 1,125 injuries, and $1.1 billion in property loss. The majority of electrical fires involve electrical distribution, lighting, or power transfer equipment, and 39 percent involve outlets and receptacles, electrical branch circuits, and other electrical wiring.

If an electrical fire occurs in your home, the first thing you should do is call 9-1-1. Step two should be to turn the entire circuit breaker off. As electricity can not actually burn but the surrounding items may burn, turning off the electricity from the source makes the fire easier to put out. 

A Class C fire extinguisher should be used to put out the electrical fire; however, if you have turned off the source of the electricity, using a different class of fire extinguisher depending on what is on fire should also do the job.

Electrical fires are extremely dangerous and unpredictable. Use caution when putting one out, and if you are unsure in any way what to do, go outside and wait for the fire department to show up.  For instance, water, foam, and other combustible agents should never be used to try and put out an electrical fire. If you do not know what you are doing, you could accidentally make the fire worse. 

As is usual with any electrical fire, any time you see smoke, a fire has probably already been started within the walls and has spread out of sight inside your home. Always get to safety as quickly as possible to avoid being caught by the fire.

Read for More Information:

• Fire Prevention Week: Tips to Prevent Home Fires
• Electrical Safety Tips
• How to Safely Use an Electrical Generator

Fire Prevention Week: Tips to Prevent Home Fires

Waking up to the unsettling sound of your smoke detector going off can be a terrifying experience. In 2011 the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that residential fires killed an estimated 2,550 civilians in the United States, and another 14,360 were injured in some way due to a residential fire. To help spread awareness during Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 6-Oct. 12), here are some tips to help keep you safe in your home.

Grimefires

As this year's theme for National Fire Prevention Week is "Prevent Kitchen Fires," it is important to clean any buildup of dirt and clutter occurring in your kitchen to avoid grimefires. 

Cooking

In 2010 cooking was the result of 44% of reported home fires, 16% of home fire deaths, 40% of home fire injuries, and 15% of the direct property damage in 2010 according to the NFPA. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in order to battle any open flames that may occur in your kitchen. The extinguisher should be rated for both grease and electrical fires.  

- To use a fire extinguisher remember the acronym P.A.S.S:

• P - Pull the pin.
• A - Aim the nozzle at the fire's base.
• S - Squeeze the nozzle to spray.
• S - Sweep back and forth while spraying the fire's base.

Inferior Goods

Avoid buying counterfeit or substandard good. They can contain faulty parts that overheat or break causing fire or serious shock.

Extension Cords

Use only UL listed and fused multi-tap extension cords. Also, if your cord is faulty, cracked, or deteriorating, replace it. These can shoot sparks onto flammable surfaces and quickly result in a fire. 

You should also never overload a circuit. Use a power strip instead.

Heaters

Heating systems, primarily space heaters and wooden stoves, can easily ignite nearby household items. Keep all space heaters at least three fee from household items. Turn heaters off before leaving a room or going to sleep. Nevver leave pets or children unsupervised with a space heater or wooden stove. In addition to the risk of starting a fire, heaters and stoves pose a danger of burns, as well.

Candles

On average 42 home candle fires are reported daily. More than half of these fires result because of a furniture item being too close to the candle. One-fifth of reported candle fires are due to the candle being left unattended, and over one-third of home candle fires result in the bedroom. Half of candle fires result during 12am and 6am, most likely due to the person falling asleep and forgetting about it. Out of the 12% of home candle fires started as a result of someone going to sleep, 36% of those resulted in deaths.

• Do not use open-flame candles when you are expecting several people at your home - holidays, for example. Instead, opt for LED tea lights to avoid a disaster from occurring. 
• Also, during the holiday months , if you must burn a candle, keep it far away from decorations - Christmas trees especially.
• When packing your emergency home kit, it is advisable to pack flashlights and extra batteries instead of candles. 
• Keep candles in sturdy-metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed somewhere where they can not be easily knocked over.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

Smoke Detector

Test your smoke detector on a regular basis - at least every six months when you are supposed to change the batteries. If you have multiple floors in your home, a detector should be located on each floor. The best possible solution is to have a smoke detector in each bedroom if it is do able. 

Resources: Allstate, U.S. Fire Administration

Read More:

• Electrical Safety Tips

How to Safely Use an Electric Generator

Cutler Hammer EGN

Every year there are deaths from the improper use of electrical generators. The primary hazards that occur from using a generator are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, and fires. It is important to know about correctly purchasing and using a generator in order to be safe when the time comes to use it.

How to Purchase a Generator

When you decide to purchase an electrical generator, you should purchase one that is rated for the amount of power you plan to plug into it. This includes lights, appliances, and other equipment. Wattage determines the amount of power that is used by lighting, and most appliances and other equipment will have a label that tells their power requirements. 

You should purchase a generator that can produce more power than that of the lighting and appliances combined. If your generator is not able to produce more power, you should stagger which appliances and lights are in use at one time. Electricians, like those at Gehringer Mechanical, can determine the amount of power you will need if you are unsure.

Where to Place a Generator

Never place a portable generator in an indoor area. Carbon monoxide from an electric generator's engine exhaust can rapidly build up within a home or enclosed area. Opening doors, windows, and using fans will not prevent this build up. Indoor areas include a garage, carport, basement, or any partially enclosed area. 

Also, do not place the generator near windows. When the power is out, you will probably open windows and doors to let fresh air in. The carbon monoxide can circulate through the home this way. 

In order to avoid electrocution, the generator should be placed somewhere where it will not get wet. The best place would be somewhere that is open with a canopy covering to protect it from moisture. Never touch a generator with wet hands.

Refueling and Storing Fuel

Always turn the generator off and let it cool down before adding more fuel. Any fuel that spills on hot engine parts could ignite. 

Only store fuel in an approved gas can. The fuel that should be used in the generator should be recommended on the label or in the instructions. Place stored fuel outside of the living area - a locked shed or other protected area is ideal. Do not place it by any fuel burning appliances such as a gas water heater. This could also lead to a fire if any fuel is spilled or if the container is not sealed properly.

Make sure to check with local law officials or fire departments about the amount of fuel allowed in storage. Some states have laws regarding the maximum amount that is allowed. 

How to Use Generator

Appliances should be plugged directly into the generator or into a heavy-duty outside extension cord that plugs into the generator. This type of cord should be rated in watts or amps that are equal to the sum of the connected appliance load. Make sure to check the cord for cuts and tears. Also, check that all three prongs are present - especially the grounding pin. 

Never plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, is very dangerous and presents utility workers and neighbors that use the same transformer with a chance of electrocution. This can also bypass some of the built-in household protection devices. 

Resources:  American Red Cross

Electrical Safety Tips

Home electrical hazards relate to an average of 47,820 home fires annually. It is important for individuals to maintain any and all electrical devices and outlets within their home. This means repairing, replacing, or just getting rid of problems that can eventually lead to a fire.

1. Don't Keep Resetting a Breaker.

When a breaker trips, it is trying to tell you that there is an electrical problem that needs your attention. Sometimes that problem is an overload of electricity to the circuit, and sometimes the breaker could be faulty. However, many times the breaker is a warning sign to a larger electrical problem that could lead to a fire if not found and repaired.

2. Replace Fixtures That Cause Flickering Lights.

If a light is flickering, it can cause your breaker to trip. If this is the result, you have faulty or spliced wires or the fixture is old and worn out. In either case, you need to have them replaced. 

3. Investigate Overly Warm Outlet Faceplates. 

If you touch an outlet faceplate and it is really warm when touched, it should be inspected for spliced wires, melted connections, and burned insulation. You should also check the wattage of the outlet to see if it is too large compared to the supplied wiring. It may need to be moved to another circuit. 

4. Repair or Replace Extension Cords Wrapped in Tape or with Loose Ends.

These cords have definitely had some wear and tear on them. If they cannot be repaired by cutting off damaged ends and replacing male and female ends, they should be replaced.

5. Tighten Any Wobbly Switches or Outlets

These devices have not been properly mounted to the wall. Cut the power and remove the faceplate. Tighten the screws and re-install the device.

6. Balance Wobbling Ceiling Fans

If your fan is wobbling and you are not really sure if it will fall any day now, it could be off balance or installed to the wrong type of box. Cut the power to the fan and look for loose or missing hardware. Balance the fan if possible, but if it needs a different box, re-install using a retrofit/ old-work box  for fan installation.

7. Replace A Refrigerator That Is Prone to Shocking You.

Old refrigerators that have tiny leakage currents due to worn out installation on its internal wiring are well-known. This can be extremely dangerous - especially if it is sitting on concrete or somewhere that water leaks. Replace this refrigerator with a new energy-conserving model. 

8. Have Additional Circuits or Outlets Installed.

If you find that your home is being overran by extension cords, it could be a very wise decision to have an electrician install new circuits or outlets. If you have placed extension cords above doorways or under carpets, this especially, is a big no no and a good reason to consider having another outlet installed. 

Resources: Popular Mechanics, National Fire Protection Agency

More winter safety tips from Gehringer Mechanical

With the bad weather upon us, and as rain turns to snow then eventually ice, it's important to make sure that you've made those last minute preparations to your home for winter. If you remember our previous blog entry on "How To Properly Winterize Your Home" and followed those steps, you are well underway to having a safe winter.

In our previous entry, we discussed that Gehringer Mechanical offers portable generators and backup energy sources for your home in the event of the loss of power. Quite often, when people lose power they will also seek the use of portable space heaters to reduce the amount of energy being used by the backup generator. 

We'd like to remind you of some safeties issues brought to you by our friends at the National Fire Protection Association regarding space heaters.

Based on 2005-2009 annual averages:

• Heating equipment fires accounted for 18% of all reported home fires in 2009 (second behind cooking) and 22% of home fire deaths.
• Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for one-third (32%) of home heating fires and four out of five (79%) of home heating fire deaths.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (26%) was failure to clean, principally creosote from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Placing things that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding, was the leading factor contributing to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half (53%) of home heating fire deaths.
• Half (49%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

How to prepare your house for winter from Gehringer Mechanical

During these mid-fall months, it is the perfect time to start thinking about winterizing your house. As we all know in this area, the winter sneaks up on us quickly and once the snow starts falling it's too late to prevent costly repairs that could have been prevented. Here are a few tips to help you avoid expensive repairs or having to call for emergency repair services.

10 Easy tips to Winterize your Home for the Winter

1. HVAC - Furnace Inspection: The HVAC repair experts at Gehringer Mechanical can inspect your furnace and clean your ducts. We can also make recommendations for which filters to stock up on. If you use a hot water heater, we can bleed your valves and ensure they are prepared for the upcoming freeze. Gehringer Mechanical can also replace your old thermostat with a programmable one that will help you keep energy costs down.

2. Fireplace Inspection: Make sure that you have your fireplace properly cleaned out by a professional service to clear it of rodents, birds and additional build up that may have taken place during the summer or spring months. Store your firewood in a dry spot away from the exterior of the home.

3. Inspection of Exterior, Doors and Windows: The staff at Gehringer Mechanical can perform a thorough inspection of entry points to the house to ensure that they are properly sealed. Gehringer can weatherstrip doors caulk seal the windows. An additional service is basement inspection to make sure that any windows or external entry points to the basement are properly sealed. We also install storm windows if those are needed for the property.

4. Roof, Gutter, Spout Inspection: We can check your attic to see if you need additional insulation to prevent ice dams and warm air leakage. Gehringer Mechanical will inspect your flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home or form ice sheets. We offer roof and tile inspection, as well as gutter and downspout cleaning.

5. Service Your Seasonal Equipment: Make sure you have drained the gas from lawn mowers, blowers and other items that you will not be using for the next several months. Afterward, they should be placed in dry storage along with the rest of your gardening equipment. Also, make sure to have your snow blowers are tuned up and ready for immediate service. You should inspect and replace, if needed, snow shovels. If you use ice choppers, sand or bags of ice-melt, you can often find good deals on these items now before they are in high demand.

6. Foundation Inspection: Have the Gehringer Mechanical service team inspect your foundations. We can inspect crawl spaces and seal up foundation cracks. Personally, you can rake away debris and edible vegetation from the foundation of the home as well as inspect for dry rot or pet infestation near crawlspaces. If you find anything, contact an exterminator immediately.

7. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Whether you choose to do it yourself, or have the Gehringer Mechanical team do it during a service call, have smoke detectors in every room and have a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace or water heather. Make sure that you have extra batteries and at least one extra smoke detector. You should also inspect your fire extinguisher. If it is more than 10 years old, the extinguisher should be replaced.

8. Prepare Outside Surfaces and Landscaping: The team at Gehringer Mechanical can seal or resurface driveways, brick patios or wood decks. You should check with a landscaper or tree service to see if your trees should be trimmed to avoid winter damage and are not a risk to house or electrical wires. Move sensitive plans indoors or to a climate controled greenhouse.

9. Plumbing: The expert plumbing staff at Gehringer Mechancical can inspect your entire plumbing system to make sure there are no critical leaks or weak valves. They can also insulate all exposed plumbing pipes. They can also instruct you as to where your water main is located in the event that you need to shut it off in case of emergency. Make sure you drain your air conditioning pipes and shut off the air conditioner water valve. Lastly, if you plan on heading out of town during the winter, make sure that the heat is set to a minimum of 55 degrees.

10. Have an emergency kit: Make sure that you have a fresh box of matches, lighters, indoor candles and flash lights that you may need in the event of a power outtage. Make sure you have the phone number to the Utility Companies in a visable location next to the number of the Gehringer Mechanical Emergency Repair Department. Make sure you have ample amounts of extra batteries for all battery operated devices.