May 1^st is the start of a blooming Electrical Safety Month! With spring showers and storms rolling through, it’s important to start focusing on fire and electrical safety tips. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), each year an estimated 47,000 fires in the home are ignited due to some sort of electrical failure or malfunction. In turn, it’s also good to be aware that electrical hazards are not only present indoors, but can also occur outside your home. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind this month in awareness for Electrical Safety Month.

In Your Home

• Extension cords are meant to be a temporary solution and should not be used long-term.
• Use containers to store your electrical products in your garage. This will prevent exposure to water.
• Stay on the safe side and only use extension cords that are marked with a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL, Intertek or CSA.
• Whether you have point-of-use surge protection (extension cords) or whole home surge protection, neither will be able to handle a direct lightning strike. When it storms, keep your home safe by disconnecting any sensitive electronics.
• Never charge your phones or laptops on a bed or sofa. Take it a step further and be sure to not drag any electrical cords under rugs or behind sofas.

In Your Backyard

• Install weatherproof boxes or covers on all outdoor outlets.
• Have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) installed or if you’re renting a home, ask your landlord if this has already been done. GFCIs will automatically cut power when a plugged-in item comes in contact with water or begins to “leak” electricity.
• Before you plant any trees in your back or front yard, conduct research or speak with a professional to ensure there’s enough space it to grow near a power line. If there’s already a tree on your property and you suspect that it’s too close to power lines, report it to your local utility.
• You hear and see the signs all the time, but it’s worth mentioning to always call 811 before you dig! Power lines can also be underground.
• When generators are in use, position them outside and away from doors, windows and vents. Be sure that they are properly grounded.

Still don’t feel like each nook and cranny has been thoroughly inspected? Contact an electrician to do an electrical safety check/audit. Being thorough with electrical safety is something no ever regrets. As retail energy providers, it’s our job to only provide our communities with affordable energy, but also educate them about the importance of plugging in safely. Take your savings further with Frontier today and see how much you can save: http://bit.ly/FrontierWebEnrollment