Almost 2/3rd of Americans decorate there home with some sort of electric lights during the holiday season.  Over half require the use of some sort of extension cord and or power splitter during there holiday lighting decoration process.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Reports that Christmas tree fires alone cause on average an estimated $16.2 million in direct property damage, 16 injuries, and 6 deaths every year.  This statistic does not include injures or deaths due to outdoor lighting electric shock or fall injuries such as ladder work.

If you are considering getting a spa installed on your property, there are a number of aspects that need to be taken into account in order ensure that the feature is safe and functions properly. After all, a spa has a lot of water and moisture and electrical safety is something you can’t overlook in this space. Here are a few helpful spa wiring and installation tips:

When you buy your new spa, you need to ensure that you have all the necessary permits required for the installation. Most local councils require special authorization for all exterior electrical circuits as well as for any new construction (in case you decide to build a shade structure to cover the spa). In addition, there may be some other requirements that you’ll have to follow, like positioning the spa in a specific location etc.

When choosing a foundation for your spa feature, you should choose a place that will have proper drainage when it rains. If you are planning on installing your spa on an existing patio or deck, you should ensure the structure is solid enough to bear the weight of the water and the spa itself as well as the people that will use it. If you are planning on installing the feature on solid ground, make sure the spa is elevated on 100% foundation such as concrete and gravel.

There are several different types of spa models you can choose from, and, while these may all be unique in styling and build, most spas are built to run at different usage and power levels. Here are a few points to keep in view:

The changing season is upon us. School has started and it won’t be long before we are pulling out those jackets and watching Friday night football. The chilly air may not warrant turning on the furnace, but you will still need to take the chill off. Your trusty space heater is always an option. When you are sitting at your desk or when you first step out of the shower, it can be a little cold. The space heater is perfect to warm up your immediate space without heating up the entire house. Before you plug it in that first time, it is a good idea to read the following tips provided by an electrician in Los Angeles. If you would like a professional to do the inspection, give The Electric Connection a call.

1-Thoroughly check the cord on the heater from end to end. Look for any areas of the cord that have been chewed by mice or pets that have left the wires exposed. If there are exposed wires, do not plug the space heater in. Either take it in to be serviced or throw it out. Wrapping black tape over the cord is not a safe option.

2-Choose a spot to place the heater that gives it plenty of clearance from the wall, furniture and curtains. You need to allow at least 3 feet of space between the wall and the heater. Heaters need ventilation to work properly.

3-Do not use extension cords to plug in the heater. It increases the risk of tripping and knocking the heater over. If you don’t have enough outlets, consider having an electrician add additional outlets. Upgrading your Los Angeles electrical system is a worth investment for your home. Give The Electric Connection a call today to add more outlets to your home.

On any job site, having the right electrical safety gear is essential. For electrical projects, there are often special considerations, as some tasks can have unique hazards that require special gear.

Eye injuries are serious and for most electricians are a daily hazard. Having, and using, the right eye protection can make all the difference.

Electricians often work at heights, either on roofs, scaffolds, or elevated work platforms. In some locations, even working on a step ladder can require fall protection gear.

When the potential exists to fall more than 6 ft., fall protection gear should be worn. This includes an approved and inspected harness and a lanyard with the correct weight rating. Always ensure that the fully extended length of the lanyard is short enough to prevent the worker from contacting the ground in the event of a fall.

Hand injuries are the most common type of workplace injury, therefore selecting and using the right kind of gloves is vital.

Along with proper knife safety practices, using cut-resistant Kevlar gloves can greatly reduce the potential for cuts and scratches. In cold weather, ensure that insulated gloves are worn. When dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals, use gloves rated to handle the specific associated hazards.

Hopefully, you have surge protectors set up in your house to protect your electronics from power surges, or voltage spikes, that can fry your devices. Unfortunately, surge protectors won't save you from the evil cousin of a power surge -- a low voltage event, or brownout. Dimming lights in your house are a sign that you're experiencing a brownout, which over time can cause major damage to your appliances. 

Since your air conditioner is one of your most powerful appliances, any brief outage means it takes a lot of electricity to power the unit back up. To combat the problem, Direct Energy and One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® offer the Comfort Sentry Contactor, a switching device with totally sealed contacts that goes in your AC unit. If voltage goes below a safe point or "flickers," the Contactor will automatically and safely turn the unit off — and then back on once the right amount of power is back. "In multiple dwellings, it will stagger turning power back on, one in 30 seconds, another in 5 minutes, and so on — to avoid using too much electricity all at once. It's protection built right into your home," explains Dave Borowski, spokesperson for Direct Energy. A smart homeowner will recognize this as an "ounce of prevention."