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For those of us who have a home office, we may not necessarily think directly about electrical safety or the electrical hazards that may be present in the space where we work. And for those of us who haven’t had a home office and are suddenly finding themselves working remotely from home due to extenuating circumstances that plague our world virally, we may not even know where to start, since we’re already in a state of great change we’re not used to. The last thing we may be thinking about is electrical safety, right? Well, that’s where Bill’s Quality Electric, LLC is here to help! We have several electrical safety tips to bring to your attention concerning hazards that can occur and how you can avoid them. You certainly don’t need any more surprises; you already have enough on your plate! There are several areas of electrical safety we’d like to focus on that are the most common issues that can arise when you’re working from home, whether you’re at the kitchen table, the living room or in a room you use for an office. The first focus is how and where you are plugging things in. There’s the chargers for the laptop, phones and other devices to think about. There’s calculators, shredders, internet equipment, plus any lighting you need additional to what’s above your head. The best way to approach the lower wattage items is with a power strip that has surge protection. This will protect what you plug in and it will also aid in eliminating fire hazards from overheating. When it comes to the lighting, if you’re using table top or floor lamps, be sure to plug them directly into an outlet. And also use the correct wattage lightbulb so there is no risk of overheating. One thing you really want to watch out for is extension cord usage. If not used properly, it often becomes a fire hazard waiting to happen. Extension cords are to be used for the short term. You’re better off having an outlet added where you need it rather than using an extension cord. Where you place an extension cord, what type you use, and how long you use it can be the difference between perfectly safe and a fire hazard. Use indoor for indoor usage and outdoor for outdoor usage. Nothing under rugs or around furniture where it can be damaged or overheat and cause a fire. It can be so helpful to set things up in such a way that is reliable, safe and easy; don’t cut corners for the sake of saving time. It’s not worth the risk of fire with hazards wreaking havoc. And when you put the kiddos into the mix with online learning, there’s even more to consider. Take the time to access what power you need with the power you have at your disposal and plan accordingly. The less stress you have with making your working space workable, the better. It really is all about peace of mind, which we all could use a lot of right now, with all the uncertainty we are facing. Let’s make our home/work space livable, safe and comfortable and we all work together remotely. For more tips on electrical safety, fire and shock prevention, you’re welcome to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook, where we keep you informed so you can Stay Electrically Safe and Smart! You’re also welcome to subscribe to our new YouTube Channel, which is Your Electrical Safety Resource! If you own a business or home in Collin County area of North Texas and are in need of electrical service, repair or installation, give us a call at 214.697.3134 to schedule an appointment with Bill’s Quality Electric, LLC. We look forward to doing business with you! 