How do you pick one quality certified electrician out from a crowd?  You might ask for recommendations from friends and family. It’s also wise to check out the company on Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau. Then you can read the testimonials and find out what other customers have experienced.

While all these techniques are helpful, one of the best ways to find a trustworthy Dallas electrician is to discover what certification and insurance they have compared to what is actually required to get the job done. Far too many homeowners forget to look into certifications and credentials, and end up hiring a Dallas electrician without the proper licenses. Here’s what to look for to ensure you’ve found a certified electrician.

ElectricMan is a family -owned and operated company with certified electricians. They offer complete residential and commercial repair and service for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The company is lead by a fully licensed and insured master electrician with several all-star journeyman-licensed employees and training apprentices under his watchful eye. You will find quality reviews on Angie’s List, and they also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

To work with certified, licensed professionals on your next electrical project, please contact a certified electrician at ElectricMan today. ElectricMan is your trusted, local Dallas electrician with 27 years of experience. Visit the ElectricMan website for more information, and also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Until recently, home automation seemed like a distant dream to many homeowners. Thanks to the advancement of smart technology, we now have the ability to turn lights on or off, open or close the garage door, adjust the temperature setting, and so much more – all with the simple push of a button. Now, you won’t have to wonder for hours on end if you left your bedroom light on or if you your garage door is open; you can achieve instant peace of mind!

The technology behind home automation is sophisticated, but before you panic let us ease your worries. Smart systems were designed to add convenience to your life, not complication. Operating such a system is fairly simple; you need only have your smart phone, tablet, or remote control on hand.

There are numerous benefits to using smart technology within your home. Should you have any further questions about installation or operation, feel free to give us a call!

Home automation can supply you with an incomparable level of assurance. If you’re returning to your home late at night and are afraid of the dark, you can automate your lights to turn on before you arrive. Or, if you’re going on vacation for a few days or even a few weeks, you can schedule your lights to turn on and off at certain times to act as a deterrence.

Apart from lights, you can also use smart controls with garage door and house doors. If you’re unsure whether your kids remembered to lock the door when they left or if your garage door is still open, you can take control with the help of your app.

In addition to light control, you can also dictate the temperature of your home when you’re away. When it’s particularly cold outside, you may want to turn the heat on when you leave work so that your home is warm and cozy when you arrive. Further, some systems even track your heating and cooling usage. This gives you valuable insight into your unit’s performance and energy efficiency.

We’ve all let out a loud gasp in fear of having forgotten to turn something off at home or to lock a door. Now, instead of gasping, you can let out a sigh of relief. Simply open your app and check on the status of your concern. When you have kids or a demanding job, it can be hard to remember every little thing you need to do. With home automation, however, you can enjoy peace of mind.

When people go on vacation, they often entrust others with their home. Of course, you can still do that, but with home automation you can retain all control.

If you have any further questions or concerns about home automation, feel free to give us a call! We are happy to help determine what systems will best suit your home and needs.

By Hannah Haseloff

Electricity is a wonderful invention that makes our lives infinitely easier, but electricity can also be very dangerous if proper precautions are not practiced. Did you know that 70 percent of child-related electrical accidents happen in the home while under adult supervision? In accordance with National Childhood Injury Prevention Month, Mr. Electric® has some tips to help you keep your children safe.

Batteries

Thousands of children are hospitalized every year due to swallowing batteries. Children are especially attracted to the small button type. Store batteries in proper containers inside a locked cabinet, and always monitor children with electronic play toy use.

Christmas Trees

Each year numerous children are injured and electrocuted by playing with Christmas tree cords. Putting up a baby gate or a small piece of furniture in front of an outlet or tree can keep small children away from danger. Never leave the Christmas tree lights on when you are not home. This applies to the lights on both real and artificial trees.

Cords

Small children can easily pull heavy or hot appliances on top of themselves if the cords are not kept out of reach. Use command hooks or cord ties to keep long cords away from little hands.

Electrical Sockets

Cover all electrical sockets with socket covers to prevent children from sticking objects into them. Make sure the covers are not so small the child could choke on them or easily pull them out. Also check your installation, as faulty installation can cause a fire.

Hair Appliances

Curling irons, blow dryers, straighteners can cause burns and even fires if left turned on unattended. Young girls blow drying, straightening or curling their hair can get serious burns, so teach them to be cautious when using these appliances, and be sure to follow your own advice as well.

Irons

Never leave an iron on unattended, as this presents both a fire and safety hazard. Each year, children are severely burned from irons left turned on and left unattended. Do not leave an iron on a piece of clothing for too long, as this also presents the risk of causing a fire.

Ovens

Teach children to stay away from the oven and other hot appliances in the kitchen. Never leave the oven door open when it is turned on so those wandering hands don’t wind up inside the hot space.

Plugs

Never leave appliances such as cell phones and computer cords plugged in. Small children could easily put the end of the cord in their month and get electrocuted.

Smoke Alarms

A smoke alarm is your first warning in case of fire, so it should be properly maintained. Change smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and check your smoke alarm once a month to make sure it is working. Teach young children what the alarm means. Have an evacuation plan in case of fire, and run drills with your family.

Practice proper electrical etiquette by teaching older children hoe to use appliances and properly plug and unplug electric devices. Use only one power strip per outlet to avoid overusing and overheating your electrical outlets. Always keep cloth and other flammable products away from your electrical outlets, as they can present a fire hazard, and keep electrical appliances away from water.

Keep in mind that small children are not the only ones at risk of electricity-related injuries. While children 14 and under are at the greatest risk, even adults can accidently electrocute themselves. Visit Electrical Safety Foundation International’s website or Safe Kids.org for additional electrical safety tips for you and your family.