On a metal ladder in this wind, in the rain, rushing to put up his outdoor Christmas Lights and he has them plugged in??? Does this guy’s IQ match his hat size? From a professional electrician’s point of view, I’m tempted to say “Yes!” But, from experience, I would say that he’s just the average Joe, rushing to get his Christmas lights up before the really cold weather begins, probably only about the fifth time his wife has suggested it might be a good idea. The point of this observation is this: There’s a pretty high number of homeowners who dive into a project without thinking through all the potential safety pitfalls. Let’s face it, it’s a human tendency to think, “It’ll be OK. Nothing like that ever happens to me!”
Take another look at that mental picture from the preceding paragraph. Here’s a guy, standing on a metal ladder, in the rain and high wind, holding on to a string of Christmas Lights that is plugged in and powered on. A pretty stupid thing to do, if you think about it, right? And, yes, I’d agree – obviously. But how many times have you just jumped in and done a quick job without giving all the safety rules a thought? We’ve all done it at one time or another.
Take metal ladders, for example. They cost less. They weigh less. They last longer. And they are everywhere you look in the home improvement stores. But, if you’re standing on one and working with electricity, you need to be very conscious that metal conducts electricity and so does your body. Put the two together and you have a potential for disaster. IF you must use a metal ladder, turn off the power to the circuit on which you intend to work before you even put one foot on the ladder. Turn it off, check to make sure it’s off, and check again! The minute or two it takes to do that could save a costly trip to the emergency room at your local hospital!
How about plugging in that string of lights to check the bulbs and making sure they’re all working? Good idea as it saves additional trips up and down the ladder, but don’t you think it might be a better idea to check them inside where it’s dry and warm before you go outside? And, while you’re at it, check the entire length of that string of lights to make sure there’s no breaks, cracks, or worn spots in the insulation into which water could seep. Water is a great conductor of electricity! Look for brown spots in the wire, too. That could be a sign of an electrical arc inside from a broken wire or loose connection. Why take chances? If you find worn or discolored wires, throw that whole string away and replace it. Most light strings cost less than $10.00. Your medical copay is probably twice that, and who knows how much your fire insurance premiums are.
At Lon Lockwood Electric, safety is our primary concern. Not just our safety either. We put your safety first. We implore you to follow a few simple rules for safety: Think before you start, check and make sure, follow common sense, and, if you have any doubts – any doubts at all – call a professional and ask! It’s worth those few minutes of your time to make sure that you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season!
