summer Archives - Trustworthy Electric

Stay Safe This Summer With Childproof Outlets!

Promote Electrical Safety at Home With Childproof Outlets

According to Electrical Safety Foundational International (ESFI), nearly 2,400 children suffer serious electrical shocks and burns yearly from sticking things into electrical outlets. These incidents often arise when they stick foreign objects into the slots of outlets, such as utensils, paper clips, toys, and their fingers. Thankfully, worried parents can protect their children against these incidents by installing childproof and tamper-resistant outlets. This post will discuss these outlets, including how they work and their benefits.

What Is a Tamper Resistant Outlet? How Does It Work?

A tamper-resistant outlet is exactly what it sounds like; it prevents children from tampering with the outlet and hurting themselves. They have spring-loaded shutters that only allow a plug’s prongs to pass through since the shutters must be activated simultaneously to open. Another common childproofing tool for outlets is the pieces of plastic that plug into the outlet and prevent anything else from getting in.

There are also sliding outlet covers. The sliding outlet cover has a plate that slides over the outlet, then locks into place. When adults want to plug something in, they must unlock the cover and slide it over. This also deters young children from sticking their fingers or other objects into the outlets.

What Are the Benefits of Installing Childproof Outlets?

Childproof outlets have one obvious and significant benefit. It prevents children from suffering electrical-related injuries. Additionally, these outlets are more beneficial than plastic outlet caps. Children can learn to remove the plastic outlet plugs from the outlet, and once removed, they can become a choking hazard.

On the other hand, tamper-resistant outlets don’t present a choking hazard while protecting children from shocks and burns, making them the safer option for childproofing the home. No parent can watch their child every minute of every day. Having tamper-resistant outlets installed around the house offers parents peace of mind that their little ones are protected from electrical hazards.

When Is It Time to Replace an Old Outlet?

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) notes that homeowners should replace an outlet if a plug feels loose in the outlet and is not snug because it’s an electrical hazard and poses the risk of an electrical fire. Other signs that it’s time to replace an outlet include:

The outlet isn’t working
The outlet feels hot or warm to the touch
There are scorch marks, discoloration, melted areas, or other damage on the outlet
Sparks or smoke is coming from the outlet

About Trustworthy Electric

Trustworthy Electric is a family-owned company with nearly three decades of experience serving Montgomery and the surrounding communities. They provide upfront pricing, on-time service, and military discounts. Call them today for childproof outlet installation in Montgomery, AL.

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Get Your Backyard Party-Ready This Summer With These Fun Upgrades

Create the Perfect Outdoor Setting for Hosting Guests This Summer

Summer has always been a time for outdoor parties and barbeques, celebrations, fun, and adventure. This window of time is ideal for making memories spending time with family and friends, and catching up with loved ones. And there is no better place to create these memories than outdoors when the weather is nice. For homeowners looking to enjoy their lawns and gardens this summer, here are a few backyard upgrade ideas that’ll create the perfect exterior backdrop for those summer memories that won’t soon be forgotten.

Outdoor Lighting

Nothing is more crucial to creating the perfect outdoor space than installing exterior lighting. When it comes to exterior lights, there is a wide selection available to illuminate all the different types of outdoor spaces surrounding any home. Outdoor lights, in general, can be classified according to these purposes:

Safety: Safety lights can help deter criminals, such as flood lights, and improve how people safely navigate outdoors when it’s dark with pathway lights and step lights.

Landscape: Landscape lights accentuate backyard features like gardens, trees, or anything else homeowners want to accentuate when it’s dark. These include spotlights and uplighting.

Accent: These provide proper illumination and help set the mood and atmosphere. Examples of outdoor accent lights include fairy or string lights, lanterns, pendants, and wall lights or sconces.

Generators

It isn’t unheard of for power outages to occur at the peak of summer when heat waves seem endless, summer storms can occur, and homes often compete simultaneously for a limited power supply. Investing in a generator may be a good idea for those planning to hold a shindig at the height of summer heat.

Generators work to automatically deliver power during an outage, allowing homeowners to continue operating their lights, appliances, and other electronic equipment. With a generator on standby, homeowners can keep their guests and themselves happy and comfortable without missing a beat.

Pool or Hot Tub

Without a doubt, a pool or hot tub in a home’s backyard can be a focal point of any summer gathering, so homeowners looking to level up their summer party game may want to consider adding a pool or a hot tub to their home. Adding a pool or hot tub can also be a worthwhile investment as they add value to a home.

However, before enjoying all the fun and memories of having a pool or hot tub, homeowners must ensure that a professional electrician wires them and installs their lighting for safety and to meet current electrical codes and regulations. Only then can the fun begin, but when it does, the enjoyment that can be had will be endless!

About Trustworthy Electric

Trustworthy Electric has nearly 30 years of experience serving Montgomery and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, on-time service, and financing. Call them today for outdoor lighting installation or pool and hot tub lighting and wiring in Montgomery, AL.

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How to Create the Perfect Backyard for Summer Fun!

How to Get the Backyard Ready for Guests

Activities like outdoor BBQs and pool parties are a staple of summer. Here are a few ways homeowners can upgrade the backyard for summer fun. Taking the time to prep the backyard for guests can help outdoor events go smoothly. Outdoor gatherings like Fourth of July celebrations, family reunions, and neighborhood BBQs can pose unique hosting challenges for homeowners.

Not only do homeowners have to ensure that there is enough food, drinks, and seats, but they also have to provide electricity and outdoor entertainment. Music, pools, hot tubs, and lighting are a few examples of how homeowners use electricity outdoors during summer events.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Lots of outdoor events run over into the night. Even if the event ends early, homeowners should be prepared for the after-party by installing outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting fixtures can add to the ambiance of a summer night for the perfect vibe. Examples of lighting options for a yard and summer events are landscape lights, string lights, and pathway lights.

Having adequate lighting is also important for safety reasons. It can be dangerous for guests to be stumbling around in the dark. Lighting the walkways is a good idea in preparation for summer events. People need to see where they are walking to get around the party and back to their cars. There should also always be adequate lighting around the grill, pools, or other bodies of water to prevent accidents.

Power Generator

The summer is a common time to experience power blackouts due to weather events or stress on the power grid from everyone running their air conditioners at once. In preparation for summer events, homeowners may consider investing in a backup power generator. A backup generator can also take the stress off the home’s electrical system.

Using a power generator for the lights, music, and anything else at an outdoor event can help homeowners to keep the party going even if there is an outage. In the event of a power outage, homeowners may be out hundreds of dollars when everything in the fridge and freezer spoils. Having a power generator ensures that food isn’t wasted.

Power generators can be an important safety item for people who rely on medical equipment to live. In the case of a blackout, they may need a backup power supply to power their medical equipment.

Install a Hot Tub or Pool

Installing a pool or a hot tub can take a backyard BBQ to the next level this summer! Guests will love to end the night with a relaxing soak in the hot tub. Installing a new pool or hot tub is the perfect excuse to gather with friends and family this year. They also add property value to a home.

Pools and hot tubs must be installed and wired by professional electricians for safe and efficient performance because they are required to meet current electrical codes and regulations. Homeowners should contact a local, qualified electrical company for electrical upgrades in the backyard.

About Trustworthy Electric

Trustworthy Electric has over 25 years of experience serving the residents of Montgomery, AL, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, on-time service, fully stocked trucks, and customer education. Call them today for electrical services in Montgomery, AL.