Tag: electrical safety

Things You Should Know About Surge Protectors

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things you should know about surge protectors

Surge protectors are handy devices that allow for more outlets in addition to increased protection from electrocution. However, if you are still curious about surge protectors, check out this guide by the pros at Roman Home Services about all you should know about surge protectors!

What Exactly is a Surge Protector?

All your home devices and electronics are vulnerable to a power or electrical surge. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does it can cause electrical fires as well as electrocution. That is where surge protectors come into play. Surge protectors look like this and are used for two reasons:

  • To provide multiple outlets for multiple devices
  • To protect plugged in devices from high voltage power surges

A surge protector works like a regular outlet in terms of transferring electricity to all plugged-in devices. However, if it senses a surge in electricity, it automatically routes the electricity to the outlet grounding wire.

What is the Difference Between a Power Strip and Surge Protector?

No, not all power strips are surge protectors. Power strips resemble surge protectors and are usually used to create more outlets. Surge protectors add more outlet space in addition to protect your devices.

How Long Can a Surge Protector Last?

Surge protectors are great devices, but they have their limits. Surge protectors can only handle a certain number of joules, which a unit of measurement for energy. Normally, surge protectors can last between 3 to 5 years, however they can be worn out quickly if they face several or strong power surges. It is best to replace them every two years just to be on the safe side.

What Kind of Surge Protector Should I Get?

There are numerous surge protectors on the market, which is why it is important to look for the one that is best for you and your needs. Generally, you should get a surge protector that:

  1. Has Many Outlets

Go for one that has more outlets as you will always need more in the future. If you predict an increase in technology or gear, make sure your surge protector has enough outlets!

  • Has Properly Spaced Outlets

Next, make sure your surge protector has outlets with enough space between them for bigger plugs.

  • Is Portable

If you are a frequent traveler, consider getting a surge protector that is portable. It may not be able to take on as much power but will definitely be more efficient on travel days.

  • Has a Higher Joule Capacity

If your surge protector can handle more joules of power, it is most likely the better option.

Have anymore questions about surge protectors and how they can protect your home and your treasured appliances? Get in touch with the pros at Roman Home Services. Our team of experts are highly qualified in all things electrical and would be more than happy to assist you and answer your questions. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website.

Electrical Safety Tips for Kids

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electrical safety tips for kids

Knowing the basics of electrical safety allows you to protect your kids from dangerous electrical mishaps. One way to practice electrical safety is to childproof your house. However, if you have older kids, you can take a few minutes to sit them down and run down a list of electricity-related dos and don’ts. To help you get started, the pros at Roman Home Services have prepared a list of important electrical safety tips for kids.

Tip #1: Water and Electricity Don’t Mix

As you already know, water and electrical appliances don’t mix. That is actually why we have ground-fault circuit interrupters installed in areas where exposure to water is high, such as your bathroom, kitchen, outdoor area or basement. If an appliance is exposed to a lot of water, the circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, will sense the difference in the current and immediately shut off the circuit. Now this is interesting and all, but you certainly can’t explain this to a kid! Try to make it a rule of thumb to keep water away from appliances. To make things fun, try playing this informative online game with your child.

Tip #2: Stay Away from Power Lines

Staying away from power lines means:

  • Not touching broken or fallen powerlines
  • Not climbing power poles
  • Not climbing or playing on trees close to power lines
  • Never flying kites near power lines

Those all seem like a lot of “Nos” and your child might react with a lot of questions. It’s important to tell them that exposure to power lines can put them at risk of electric shock or electrocution. If you are having trouble telling them about this in simple terms, watch this 2-minute animated video with them on electrical safety.

Tip #3: No Fingers Inside Outlets

Putting anything inside outlets, whether its your fingers or a pencil can be dangerous. This is a very easy way to receive electric shock, which can even be fatal. Make sure you include this in your electrical safety talk with your kids because it’s pretty tempting for little ones to stick their fingers into outlets and sockets.

Tip #4: Don’t Yank Chords

Yanking chords out of outlets can at best, damage the chord, the wire or the outlet. At worst, it can cause an electric fire or electrocution. Kids might be tempted to yank on wires, so make sure they know that this is a big no-no.

Child-Proofing Tips

Even if your kids are a little older, there is no harm in taking steps to child-proof your home.

  • Get plastic plug-in outlet covers for open outlets and sockets
  • Don’t leave charger chords around—wrap them up safely and place them somewhere out of reach
  • Store bathroom and kitchen appliances out of reach
  • Test your GFCIs every month!

Have any more questions about how you can teach your kids electrical safety tips? Get in touch with the pros at Roman Home Services. You can call us at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website!

Holiday Decorating Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe this Winter

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With the holidays fast approaching, many families are starting to put their decorations up in their homes. While this is a fun and willing distraction from the problems the COVID pandemic is bringing us, it’s important to keep decoration safety in mind. If you don’t know what that means, keep reading this blog about holiday decorating safety tips from the pros at Roman Home Services!

1. Use GFCIs

First things first, it’s important that you use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. GFCIs can monitor the flow of electricity using sensors—if they sense electricity spiking or flowing down the wrong path, they will shut the plugged-in appliance down. GFCIs can prevent electrical fires and electric shocks, which is why it is important you have GFCI outlets, especially outdoors, in your kitchen and bathroom. If you don’t have GFCI outlets, get in touch with your electrician to install them.

2. Use LEDs

If you want to ensure safety as well as savings, make sure you use decorative LED lights. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than their incandescent counterparts. They also don’t heat up like incandescent bulbs, meaning they are okay to touch and won’t risk overheating.

3. What is Indoors, Belongs Indoors

If you’re thinking of stringing up indoor lights or using indoor extension cords outdoors, think again. Indoor decorations are not as durable as outdoor ones and are vulnerable to moisture and extreme weather. If you want to use décor outdoors, make sure you get material that has been rated for outdoor use—check the packaging to be sure as it will safe “Safe for Outdoor Use” or something similar.

4. Use Fake Candles

While candles add a nice touch, they can certainly be dangerous and pose a risk of fires. That’s why you should consider using fake candles—they create the same effect without the fire and danger!

5. Do Not Hammer Nails

When putting up your lights, be sure you don’t hammer them in with nails or use staples as this can damage your light’s wiring. Use safe, plastic hooks or clips to put them up instead.

6. Don’t Use Broken Lights

Broken lights or those with exposed wiring can not only look bad but they can also be dangerous and lead to overheating and electrical fires. Before you put them up, make sure the lights are intact and the wiring isn’t exposed or broken.

Have any more questions about holiday decorating safety tips? The pros at Roman Home Services are here to help you out. Whether you need assistance with electrical services or even plumbing, heating and cooling, our team of professionals will be here to provide you the best service possible! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website! We are looking forward to hearing from you and working with you.

Kitchen Electrical Safety Tips

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kitchen electrical safety tips

The kitchen is the place in your home where you use a myriad of different appliances. That’s why it is important you are aware of all the ways you can practice electrical safety whether you are using your microwave, your electrical stove or your fridge! To help you out, the pros at Roman Home Services have come up with an important list of kitchen electrical safety tips.

1. Use GFCI Outlets

GFCIs, or ground fault circuit interrupters, are meant to protect you and your family from electrical shock. If you are using an appliance plugged into a GFCI outlet and your appliance is exposed to a lot of water, the GFCI will sense this and shut off the circuit in less than a second. A GFCI outlet can literally save your life so be sure you plug in your appliances in GFCI outlets. If you don’t have any in your kitchen, contact an electrician you trust immediately and have it installed. If you do have GFCIs, be sure to test them every month—you can do this by pressing the “Test” button on the outlet.

2. Don’t Use Extension Cords or Power Strips Permanently

While extension cords are great if you’re plugging in appliances at a distance, make sure you don’t do this permanently. All your kitchen appliances must be plugged directly into grounded outlets, which can protect you from electrical fires and electrocution. Extension cords and power strips are meant for temporary use.

3. Unplug Appliances not in Use

Countertop appliances like coffeemakers, blenders and electric kettles must be unplugged immediately after use. Leaving them plugged in can increase your energy bill as a lot of these appliances are “energy vampires”. This means they use energy even if they are not being used if they are plugged in. In addition to that, if you have your appliance plugged into a non-GFCI outlet and it is exposed to water or falls in the sink, you might be risking electrocution.

4. One Appliance Per Outlet

Ideally, you should plug one appliance in an outlet. This might seem burdensome but plugging in more than one appliance can overload your outlet or circuit breaker. If you don’t have enough outlets, have them installed by a trusted electrician.

5. Don’t Leave Appliances Unattended

This is an important tip especially for those with little children. Once you have an appliance in use, keep your kids out of the kitchen as much as you can and stay close to the appliance. Kids can often tamper with appliances by putting objects or utensils in outlets and toasters or by touching a device that is still hot.

Have any more questions about kitchen electrical safety tips? Get in touch with the professionals at Roman Home Services! Whether you need electrical services or heating, cooling and plumbing, our technicians will be there to help you out. Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Halloween Lighting and Extension Cord Safety

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halloween lighting and extension cord safety

Halloween is a great time to spook your neighborhood out with exciting decorations and festive lights. However, the true horror would be doing all of that without practicing electrical safety. The last thing you need is an electrical fire on your hands. But you don’t need to worry too much about that because the pros at Roman Home Services are here to tell you all you need to know about Halloween lighting and extension cord safety!

1. If Using Old Lights, Be Sure to Inspect Them Before Use!

It’s smart and cost-effective to use older decorations. However, before you put them up, be sure to look at them and see if there are no frayed or loose wires, broken bulbs or loose connections. If ignored, these seemingly small problems can turn into major fire hazards.

2. If Putting Up Outdoor Lights, Use an Outdoor Extension Cord

Many people make the mistake of using indoor extension cords outdoors—do not make this same misstep! Indoor extension cords do not have proper insulation, which often protects outdoor cords from temperature changes and moisture outdoors. In addition, indoor extension cords have lower amperage ratings, meaning they would not be able to power outdoor lights and decorations. Use an outdoor extension cord for your outdoor decorations as it will be a much more durable option. You can easily find an outdoor cord at your nearest home improvement store—make sure you check the label for the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) approved outdoor rated cord.

3. Make Use of Your GFCI Outlet

Make sure you plug your decorations into GFCI outlets. GFCI stands for “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter”—an outlet with a GFCI can protect people from electrocution. If you plug an appliance into a GFCI outlet and the appliance is exposed to a lot of water, the GFCI can sense this interruption and shut power off immediately. A GFCI outlet can quite literally be lifesaver, so be sure to make use of it this Halloween.

4. Use Weatherproof Outlet Covers

The weather can be quite unpredictable these days—that’s why it’s important to take the right precautions to protect your Halloween decorations from it. One way you can do that is to use weatherproof outlet covers. A lot of these outlet covers can protect your outlets while decorations are still plugged in and in-use.

5. Use Hooks to Hang Up Your Lights

Make sure to never nail in your string lights on trees or walls. Instead, use insulated hooks while hanging your Halloween lights and decorations.

6. Use LED Candles for Your Pumpkins

To avoid risk of burns or even a fire, use an LED candle instead of a real, wax candle. It will have the same spooky effect while being completely safe to use!

Have any more questions about safe Halloween lighting? Our team of professionals will be more than happy to help you out! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website!

Why Does Electricity Have to Be Grounded?

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does electricity have to be grounded

“Grounded electricity” is a bit of a difficult concept to grasp for many homeowners. Fortunately, the pros at Roman Home Services are here to help answer all your questions about what grounded electricity means and how it works.

Difference Between “Grounding” and “Grounded”

While “grounded” and “grounding” sound the same, they have different meanings, specifically in the world of wiring and electricity. Before we get into the specifics, it’s important to know a bit about how electricity flows through your home. There are two wires that are needed to complete a circuit and the wiring in your home is no exception to this rule. Essentially, there are two wires you need to be aware of. The “hot” wire, which is black in color, carries the negative charge and the neutral or “grounded” wire, which is usually white or gray, carries the positive charge. These wires run side by side and do what they need to do to supply electricity into your home.

The wiring and electric system in your home is designed to discharge negative energy into the “ground” or basically the earth on which your house is standing. The “grounded” or neutral wires primarily have the job of returning the current to the ground. However, if there is a problem with these “grounded” wires (they have been chewed through, there is wood or a flammable material in its path), your electrical system has a backup plan. This is where the “grounding wires” come in—these backup wires run parallel to the hot and neutral wire, creating an alternative pathway for the electric current to follow just in case a fault, breakdown, short circuit or electrical fire occurs.

So, in short, the “grounded” wire is a neutral wire, connected to the earth, which helps supply electricity to your home. It is white or gray in color and is uninsulated. A “grounding” wire is part of a complex backup system underground. It provides an alternative pathway for the current, just in case there is an issue with the “grounded” wire.

How Do I Know if I Have Grounding Wires?

One way to tell if you have grounding wires is by looking at your outlets. If the outlet has a grounding connection, it has a round slot for the third prong of the plug—this slot is indicative of a system of grounding wires. While most homes have the complex system of grounding wires complete with circuit breakers, some older homes may not have this. If most of your outlets don’t have a third slot, chances are your home electrical system does not have a grounding connection.

Why Does My Home Need a Grounding Connection?

There is a simple answer to this question: Because it protects you and your appliances. Having a grounding connection prevents the likelihood of electrical fires and electrocution, which can be fatal for you and your family. Your power lines have a great deal of excess current and it’s best that there is a safe and separate pathway away from your home and its inhabitants.

Have More Questions about “Grounded” Electricity? Get in Touch with Roman Home Services!

This was a bit of a complicated blog, so we understand if you still have questions about whether electricity needs to be grounded or not and how you can add a grounding connection. Contact us with your concerns and our experienced electricians will be more than happy to help you. Call us at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service online!

Child-Proofing Your Home for The Holidays

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child-proof your home

If you have any guests staying over for the holidays, chances are you’re going to have double the amount of kids running around your home (think Home Alone!). And while the decorations around your home are probably very fun and festive, they can pose serious harm to curious children. That is why you should take some time to properly child-proof your home, so you don’t have any during the holidays! To help you get started, the pros at Roman Home Services have created a quick guide.

1. Add a Toilet Lock

This is especially helpful if you’re going to have some curious toddlers exploring your home. A toilet lid lock can prevent a child from getting in some scary situations such as falling into the toilet or getting stuck. There are several toilet lid locks on the market, ranging from $7-$15.

2. Babyproof Electrical Cords

If you have a lot of decorations up, it’s likely that you have a lot of electrical cords being used. That is why it’s important you find a way to clear them up as they can create tripping hazards for kids. To prevent this from happening, make sure your cords run through a duct cord cover. These covers look like speed bumps made of rubber, can fit many cords and cost $10-$20 depending on their size.

If you want to prevent access to the cord, consider getting a cord shortener. This product prevents cord entanglement, shortens the excess of a long cord and can even come with outlet covers. You can purchase these from your nearest home improvement store—they are usually priced within the $4-$10 range.

3. Get Outlet Covers

It’s common knowledge that by poking metal utensils in outlets, toddlers can experience electric shock. It’s never a good idea for a child to be poking anything into an outlet, which is why it’s important to get outlet covers. These covers are usually plastic pieces that can be directly inserted into the outlet’s sockets. If you have any power strips, consider getting covers for them too. You can purchase in-use covers which allow cords to be plugged in, while encasing the entire power strip.

4. Be Careful in The Kitchen

Don’t leave anything unattended on the stove and don’t leave the stove on. Children can easily reach over and burn themselves or topple a heavy pot or pan over. You can also prevent this from happening by placing pots or pans near the backend of the stove.

5. Use Battery Operated Candles

If you absolutely must use candles, try using battery operated candles. They are cheap and safe to be around children as well as upholstery and curtains. If you use scented candles, switch to air fresheners, diffuser sticks or essential oil diffusers just for the holidays.

Keep Your Home Safe for The Holidays with Roman Home Services!

If you want more tips on how you can childproof your home for the holidays, contact the pros at Roman Home Services! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website!

 

 

Electrical Safety: Indoor Holiday Decorations

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electrical safety during the holidays

While indoor holiday decorations are fun and festive, they can also pose a danger to your home if they are not handled properly. One little mishap with a worn-out wire or an outlet and you might be dealing with electrical fires or shocks. Luckily, the pros at Roman Home Services are here to help you out. Here is a quick guide to electrical safety during the holidays so you can have a safe and restful break!

1. Indoor Lights Should Not Be Near Curtains

Indoor lights are creative and fun and add to the holiday ambiance you want in your home. However, it is important to keep these lights away from drapes, curtains and any kind of flammable items—especially if these lights have incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs can heat up easily, increasing the chance of something in your home catching fire. If you’re tired of this risk with incandescent bulbs, try making the switch to LED bulbs! LED’s last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy! They also don’t radiate heat and if you purchase LEDs with epoxy lenses, they aren’t prone to shattering either.

2. Discard Frayed Cords

Keep any eye out for any lights or decorations with frayed or worn-out cords. While it might not seem like a big deal, frayed cords can lead to the live wire being exposed. This poses a serious danger to users as it increases risk of electrocution and electrical fires. It’s not worth it to use frayed cords—if you find several parts of the indoor light cords are frayed and exposed, it is best to discard them. In addition to looking out for frayed cords, making sure none of the bulbs are cracked or broken.

3. Choose Battery Operated Candles

Unless you’re using the Christmas or holiday themed scented candles, it is best to use battery operated candles for decoration purposes. Actual candles look nice, but they are risky, especially if they are placed near flammable items. Battery operated candles are safe, affordable and achieve the same effect!

4. Check for Underwriters Laboratory Sign

Before you purchase indoor lights and decorations, make sure to check for the “UL” sign on the packaging—this sign indicates that the lights have been approved by the Underwriters Laboratory and are safe to use whether it is indoors or outdoors. The Red UL sign indicates that the lights are safe to be used indoors and outdoors and the green UL sign marks that the lights are only safe for outdoor use.

5. Use Clips Instead of Nails

Instead of hammering the cords in with nails or thumb tacks, use clips or adhesive hooks. This way you can ensure your lights are hung properly and are in place without damaging the cords.

Practice Electrical Safety During the Holidays with Roman Home Services!

We hope this guide to electrical safety during the holidays is helpful! If you want more electrical safety tips, get in touch with the pros at Roman Home Services! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service with us on our website!

Christmas Lighting Safety Tips

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christmas lighting safety tips

With Christmas almost here, it’s no secret that homeowners have started decorating their homes in various decorative lights. While you share this fun and festive tradition with your loved ones, remember to stay safe. Any little mistake or oversight and you might be dealing with electrical problems that could potentially harm you or your family and friends. To help you stay safe, the pros at Roman Home Services have some helpful and effective Christmas lighting safety tips.

1. Use LEDs!

If you are thinking of purchasing new Christmas lights, skip the incandescent bulbs and get LED lights instead. According to the Department of Energy, LED lights last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting and use at least 75 % less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. These lights also don’t radiate heating and can come with epoxy lenses, making them less likely to shatter. Incandescent bulbs are far more vulnerable to breaking and burning fingers—switch to LEDs today!

2. Don’t Use Old Lights

Before you hang up your Christmas lights, make sure your lights are not broken and the wires are not worn out. If you notice your lights are old or deteriorated, it is best to get newer lights. Older and broken lights can be dangerous in addition to being inefficient.

3. Outdoor Lights and Indoor Lights are NOT Interchangeable

Make sure the lights you use are meant for outdoor or indoor use. You can’t use lights made for indoor use outside and vice versa. Be especially careful with extension cords—if you are using them outside, ensure they are rated for outdoor use (check the packaging for signs such as “Safe for Outdoor Use”). Make sure you plug these cords into GFCI outlets, which protect you from shock if the cord is exposed to water.

4. Avoid Candles

Although candles might create the soft ambiance you want, it’s usually not a great idea to use them in great quantity. If you decide to use candles, make sure you keep them far away from the tree. A lot of Christmas tree fires (yes, there is such a thing as a Christmas tree fire) are caused by candles that have been placed a little too close to trees.

Pro tip: Try battery operated candles! They are safe, affordable and they achieve the soft glow you desire!

5. Don’t Leave Lights On

Don’t make the mistake of leaving your Christmas lights (outside or inside) when you go to bed. Leaving lights on throughout the night can cost you a lot on your electric bill. To prevent this issue, you can get lights with timers that allow the lights to shut off automatically!

Stay Safe This Holiday Season with Roman Home Services!

We hope these Christmas lighting safety tips have been helpful for you. If you want to learn more about how you can practice electrical safety while having a fun and festive Christmas, get in touch with the pros at Roman Home Services! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule an appointment with us on our website!

 

 

 

 

Does Your Home Need Rewiring?

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does your home need rewiring

According to a study by the National Fire Protection Association, local fire departments responded to an average of over 44,000 home fires involving electrical malfunction between 2012 and 2016. Electrical fires have resulted in civilian deaths, injuries and billions of dollars’ worth of damage. Issues with electrical panels or wiring around the home, can cause these types of fires. If your home is older, chances are you might have some worn-out, frayed wiring which can potentially be dangerous. If you’re not sure whether your home needs rewiring or not, don’t worry! The pros at Roman Home Services will help you figure it out!

1. Does Your Circuit Breaker Trip Often?

The circuit breaker is a great component of your home’s electrical system. It is essentially a safety component, which can prevent potential electrical fires. Whenever electrical wiring has an excess of current flowing through it, the circuit breaker detects it and trips—which means it basically cuts the power. If your circuit breaker has a tendency to trip often though, you might be dealing with a greater problem. Your circuit breaker could be tripping because of the overheating of an electrical appliance, or a short circuit which is the result of improper wiring. Contact your local electricians to learn the source of this problem—it might be because your home needs rewiring!

2. Charred Outlets

If you notice several discolored or charred outlets around your home, you might be looking at the visible effects of a short circuit. Short circuit occurs when a hot wire touches another hot wire or another neutral wire. This creates more heat than the circuit can handle, causing it to shut off. As we mentioned above, short circuits and charred outlets can be the result of loose wiring, causing electrical arcing, which results in a quick spark.

3. Older Wiring

If your home is older, chances are you have old, frayed wiring. You might also have aluminum wiring if your home was built between 1965-1973. It is estimated that 2 million homes built in this time frame have aluminum wiring. This kind of wiring increases the likelihood of electrical fires and other safety concerns. Get in touch with your local electricians to discuss rewiring your home with a safer material!

Benefits of Rewiring Your Home

There are several benefits of rewiring your home:

  • Increased safety

You don’t have to worry about your circuit breaker tripping often or your outlets sparking suddenly. Rewiring your home and replacing any old, frayed wires decreases the chances of electrical fires.

  • Save Money

Believe or not, rewiring your home can save money in the long-run! Replacing faulty wiring with newer wiring can increase overall efficiency.

  • Increase Home Sale Value

By rewiring your home, you can increase your home sale value. Potential buyers could be put off by any issues with the wiring or electrical systems.

Rewire Your Home with Roman Home Services

If you are looking for qualified and knowledgeable electricians to rewire your home, look no further than Roman Home Services! Call us today at 414-369-3798 or schedule a service online!