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APRIL 2012  PLAY IT SAFE


Is your home wiring over the hill? Consider easy upgrades to increase safety


BY GUY DALE coordinator of safety & loss control


S


outheast Oklahoma has its share of old farm houses and homesteads, and many of them are served by Choctaw Electric Cooperative. While


some of these historic properties have been renovated in one way or another, the wiring behind those walls may not be up to date.


No matter how old your home is, its a good idea to know what’s going on behind those switch plates and outlets. Aged wiring may not be able to handle the extra load we place on it with all our new electronic gadgets, cell phone chargers, and so on.


If you think you’re due for an upgrade, don’t take on wiring problems yourself—electrical upgrades often require a professional who knows what inspections and permits are needed.


Here are a few clues to find out if your home’s electric network needs a professional switch.


Type of wiring. Modern wiring is insulated, meaning it is covered in plastic. Older homes may have copper or aluminum wiring. Copper wiring can work just as well as modern wiring if it is still in good condition and has not been altered or improperly installed. However, fire risk increases in homes with both cooper and aluminum wiring. Corrosion to aluminum from copper can lead to loose connections causing fires. Use only aluminum-approved switches, outlets, and other accessories if your home has aluminum wiring.


Plugs fall out of outlets easily. Loose plugs are a high fire danger. Older outlets that have lost their grip need to be replaced. Luckily this upgrade is affordable.


Not enough outlets. The increasing use of chargers for phones and many other


Schedule a safety class or free CPR course for your business, classroom or community group! Guy Dale and Brad Kendrick offer CPR training to the community at no charge. Please contact Guy Dale to schedule a free presentation today. To reach him, please call 800-780-6486, ext. 227. For more safety tips, please visit www.choctawelectric.coop.


800-780-6486 www.choctawelectric.coop


Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are required in areas around water like near a kitchen or bathroom sink or outdoors, but many older homes don’t have these safety measures installed. Source:


ESFI


electronic devices means outlets are in high demand, especially in older homes where outlets are not as plentiful. A lack of outlets can result in overuse of extension cords and power strips. Be sure to use quality, 14- gauge or thicker cords that are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Never overload an outlet. Overloading can cause heat, leading to fire risk. Consider hiring a licensed electrician to add outlets to your home.


Danger in wet areas. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets are now required in areas around water like near a kitchen or bathroom sink or outdoors. But in older homes, GFCIs may not have been installed. It is fairly simple to replace old receptacles with GFCIs; hire a professional to upgrade outlets near water.


Wind causes lights to blink. If you notice your lights blinking on windy days, it may be due to worn wiring in the weatherhead (where overhead lines enter your home). Contact Choctaw Electric Cooperative, and we’ll check weatherhead wiring for you.


Safe shelter— as close as your own backyard. An in-


An in-ground storm shelter from Choctaw Electric


f Ch


ound storm shelter l


protects you from the worst kind of Oklahoma weather— tornadoes.


With spring storm season upon us, now is the time to visit with Choctaw Electric about installing a safe, durable, and dry in-ground storm shelter.


To help with purchase price and installation costs, CEC offers low interest storm shelter financing with easy monthly payments that may be extended to six years.


Call CEC today for details.


PAGE 7


CEC


Ask about CEC’s storm shelter financing— payback options of up to six years available!


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