Homeowner Safety

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Homeowner safety focuses on protecting your home, family, and property through proactive measures. This includes fire prevention, electrical safety, securing your home against intruders, and being prepared for emergencies.

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Always Look Up, All Ways - Home Electrical Safety

Before starting any project, be alert of where the power lines are located and know where they are hanging. Whether you're working on the roof, trimming trees, or painting your siding, it's your job to be aware and to alert others about nearby power lines.

Locate all overhead power lines
Stay at least 10 feet away from all overhead power lines
Do not touch anything in contact with power lines
Carry ladders and equipment horizontally
Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and call 911 if you encounter one

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)

AFCI interrupts power when an arc-fault is detected in the circuit downstream from where the receptacle is installed, including within items plugged into it. Provides protection from arc-faults beyond branch circuit wiring extending to appliances and cord plugged into the receptacle. Also provides protection for series arc-faults upstream from where the receptacle is installed.

An arc-fault is a dangerous electrical problem caused by damaged, overheated, or stressed electrical wiring or devices. Arc-faults can occur when older wires become frayed or cracked, when a nail or screw damages a wire behind a wall, or when outlets or circuits are compromised.

Parallel arc: arc between the hot and neutral conductor or between the hot and ground conductor or between the hot and ground conductor.

Series arc: arc along the same conductor or at connections.

The 2014 NEC expanded Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter Protection (Section 210.12 and 406.4(D)(4)) to include most circuits. The use of AFCI receptacles are now an acceptable form of protection when in compliance with some restrictions as specified in the NEC. The 2014 NEC allows 6 different installations methods to provide AFCI protection in new construction and specific replacements.

Protects all downstream wire and appliances from both parallel and series arcs, and also protects from series arcs upstream in the wiring between the source of the circuit and the first outlet on the circuit, called the “home run.”

Provides localized TEST and RESET ability.

Home Surge Protective Devices

A power surge is a sudden and unwanted increase in voltage that can damage, degrade, or destroy electronic equipment. Surges can occur when large appliances, such as air conditioners, turn on and off. Surges can also originate from electric utilities or lightning. Surge protection has been required by the National Electrical Code (NEC) since 2014, and 82% of surveyed professionals indicated that surge protection is necessary to protect expensive equipment.

Home Renovation: Childproofing Outlets

A study by Temple University found that 100% of all 2-4-year-olds were able to remove one type of plastic outlet cap within 10 seconds. Properly childproof your outlets by installing Tamper Resistant Receptacles.

Tamper Resistant Receptacles are required in new and renovated:

Childcare facilities
Hotel and motel guest rooms
Preschools and elementary education facilities
Gyms, skating rinks, auditoriums and places of waiting
Offices, corridors, waiting rooms, and similar rooms in clinic, medical and dental offices, and outpatient facilities