Safety tips to weather fall

By Bill Streb Owner, Streb Electric

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and a good time to give thought to how safe your home’s indoor/outdoor electrical is.

Here are a few precautionary tips I’ve learned over the years.

• Fall is when you should safely store your warm-weather tools like the lawn mower and pull out cold weather tools such as your snowblower. While you do that, double check your power cords for wear and tear and replace worn parts.
• In many garages, extension cords aren’t given much care, which is too bad, since they’re susceptible to cuts to the cord that can expose the interior, and damage to the prongs that could be dangerous.
• The leaves will soon be falling. Dry leaves should be kept away from outdoor lighting or cords they could accidentally damage. Older halogen lighting could start dry leaves on fire.
• This month you’ll probably be pulling out electric blankets you haven’t used all year. Make sure they’re in good shape. If buying a new one, it should be UL-, CSA- or ETL-tested. Don’t buy one from a retailer you don’t trust.
• When using an electric blanket, never tuck them underneath you. They should only sit loosely on top of you. And don’t put other comforters on top of a heated blanket.
• Never allow pets to sleep on electric blankets as that could cause them to overheat.
• Take a peek at your smoke detectors and CO detectors to make sure they are up to date. They should be replaced every eight to 10 years.

Let us know if you need help with safety issues or would like an annual safety inspection. I wish you all a safe and festive fall season.

Streb Electric is headquartered in Eastlake. For the past 40 years, the family-operated service company has earned a reputation for making sure homes are safe and free from electrical hazards. Call 440-953-5819 or visit StrebElectric.com for more information