Lon Lockwood Electric Offers Safety Tips as a Part of Electrical Safety Month

Webster, NY (May 29, 2011) – May is National Electrical Safety month, and Lon Lockwood Electric is celebrating it by providing a series of safety tips that homeowners should know. This is the fourth of six releases with helpful information, and it discusses an important topic: what homeowners need to know about smoke detectors.

Whether someone is renting or owns their own residence, among the first things that should be done before moving into it is installing smoke detectors. “Smoke is responsible for three out of four fire-related deaths,” Lon Lockwood, owner of Lockwood Electric, said.

Follow these basic tips when installing and maintaining your smoke detectors:
• Install smoke detectors on every level of the home and outside of sleeping areas.
• If a person sleeps with the bedroom door shut, a smoke detector should be in that room too.
• Check the instructions for proper placement.
• Test every detector at least once a month. (See your instruction book for the location of the test button.) If you can’t do it, ask someone to do it for you.
• Keep smoke detectors dust-free.
• Replace batteries with new ones at least once a year, sooner if the detector is making a chirping sound. (To make it easier to remember, some people replace their batteries when they change their clocks for daylight savings time.)
• If you have a friend or neighbor who is hard of hearing and may not hear the chirping, please do a periodic check for him or her. (Inexpensive smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired.)
• It’s recommended that smoke detectors be replaced at least every 10 years … sooner if they stop operating properly.

“At Lon Lockwood Electric, during National Electrical Safety Month (May), I’m offering all homeowners 100 percent free electrical safety inspections. One of my highly trained technicians will conduct a multi-point check of every room in your home, as well as give your smoke detectors a complete evaluation. He can also talk with you about interconnected smoke detectors—where if one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are ideal for large homes, where people may not hear an alarm until the fire moves closer to them,” Lockwood continued. “ We’re doing this inspection for free to raise awareness of electrical safety. It’s a big concern that we want to alert as many people as possible to.”

For more information on Lon Lockwood Electric, and to schedule a free electrical safety inspection, call 585-766-4702

Webster, NY May 16,2011 – May is National Electrical Safety month, and Lon Lockwood Electric is celebrating it by providing a series of safety tips that homeowners should know. This is the first of six releases with helpful information, and it discusses an important topic: protecting homes and families from the potential of electrical fires.

A study by the nation’s independent insurance agents found that more than 18 million American homeowners never check for electrical hazards. That is one out of every four. Electrical home fires result in 900 deaths a year and over $1.7 billion in property damage.

“These are startling statistics that should have everyone checking their homes. It’s incredibly easy to do, and you will be providing yourself with peace of mind that your family is safe and sound,” Lon Lockwood , owner of Lon Lockwood Electric, said.

Here are some easy things people can do to prevent electrical fires in the home.
1. Check for loose-fitting plugs that can overheat.
2. Put safety covers on all unused outlets accessible to small children.
3. Walk around the house and touch all outlet plates. If any of them are hot to the touch or discolored, there may be a dangerous heat buildup at the connections.
4. Never remove the third prong, the ground pin, to make it fit into a two-conductor outlet. This could lead to an electrical shock.
5. Use the proper sized light bulb that is recommended for a fixture or lamp.
6. Make sure bulbs are screwed in securely because loose bulbs may overheat.
7. Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis—improper use is a major reason for home fires.
8. Replace smoke detector batteries twice a year.

Experts also recommend that homeowners have their homes evaluated by a licensed electrician at least once a year. Home electrical systems can change dramatically over the course of 12 months, and in doing so, potential safety concerns can develop.

“At Lon Lockwood Electric, during National Electrical Safety Month (May), I’m offering all homeowners 100 percent free electrical safety inspections. One of my highly trained technicians will conduct a multi-point check of every room in your home, as well as give your electrical panel a complete diagnostic,” Lockwood continued. “We are doing this service for free to raise awareness of electrical safety. It’s a big concern that we want to alert as many people as possible to.”

For more information on Lon Lockwood Electric, visit http://www.lonlockwoodelectric.com to schedule a free electrical safety inspection, call 585-766-4702.