Summer is here, and the fun is ready to start! However, before all the summer fun begins, there are some essential outdoor electrical safety tips to check out for maximum safety. Taking precautions outdoors to protect kids, pets, guests, and you is vital. With the summer fun happening all around us, sometimes it slips our minds to double-check electrical safety in our outdoor spaces. Here are some key tips on keeping your outdoor spaces safe!

Tip One: Use Outdoor Rated and Waterproof Equipment

Ensuring you have the correct electrical devices and cords designed explicitly for outdoor use is essential. Products like these are built to withstand outdoor elements, such as; UV exposure, high heat, and moisture. Call an electrical professional to assess your outdoor safety equipment if you need clarification on whether you have the correct devices or chords.

Tip Two: Protecting Electrical Connections 

Remember, moisture and electricity are not friends. Therefore, it is critical to keep your electrical connections away from moisture. All outdoor electrical connections, outlets, and plugs should avoid moisture, such as rain, sprinklers, or other water sources.

It is a good idea to use weatherproof covers for your outlets and protective enclosures if needed.

Tip Three: Properly Installing Outdoor Lighting

Tip number three is properly installing outdoor lighting. Whether it is maintaining or installing new outdoor lighting, you must always turn off all power to that area before working on the fixture. There are specially designed lighting fixtures with specific bulbs for outdoor use to avoid fire and electrical hazards. As always, if you need help installing electrical fixtures, contact a professional with electrical training who knows what to do.

Tip Four: Be Mindful of Powerlines

One of the most essential tips is to stay away from electrical powerlines! Keeping a safe distance from overhead powerlines is imperative if you are outside; this applies to working outdoors and kids playing outside. Summer is a popular time for afternoon thunderstorms to roll in and sometimes knock our powerlines loose or entirely down. If this happens to you, keeping ten feet away from the downed powerline is critical and occasionally life-saving. If you are a parent, staying away from fallen powerlines is a conversation you should have with your kids. Downed powerlines can be extremely dangerous. Call your local Utility company or an electrical professional to assess the situation’s safety if you have a downed power.

Tip Five: Educate Your Kids on Electrical Safety

Teaching your children electrical safety tips is one of the best things you can do for them. During summertime, it is fun to let the little ones have the run of the yard, but if they have the run, then educate them on the importance of electrical safety.

Electrical safety is not a joke and can end up saving a life. Here are a few critical points to teaching your kids electrical safety tips:

  • Begin with the basics: electricity can be dangerous if not handled properly.
  • Identifying electrical hazards- exposed wires, damaged chords, and water near electricity.
  • Keep fingers and objects away from outlets.
  • Proper use of electrical cords.
  • Staying away from low powerlines or downed powerlines.
  • Display a demonstration to show your kids what to do and what not to do.

Remember to check your outdoor electrical safety components every year. If you need assistance because you need help with what to look for, reach out to Piper Electric, and one of our licensed technicians will assist you. All our techs are proficient in electrical training and will be able to answer questions you may have. If you have exposed wiring, call Xcel Energy or your local utility company immediately. Summer safety is always number one, and summer fun is number two!