Power for Progress: Important tips for do-it-yourself projects

All about electric safety
May is National Electric Safety Month and GRDA is proud to join in the effort to encourage safety by sharing important tips all month long.

Power for Progress …

    A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

National Electric Safety Month …

Important tips for do-it-yourself projects

May is National Electric Safety Month! The Grand River Dam Authority is proud to join in the effort to reinforce electric safety by sharing important tips all month long. This week’s tips are geared towards “do-it-yourselfers” out there. And, for even more safety tips, visit esfi.org.

• First, take the time to learn about your home’s electrical system so that you can safely navigate any time you begin a do-it-yourself project.
• NEVER attempt a project that is beyond your skill level. Knowing when to call a professional electrician can help prevent electrical fires, injuries and even fatalities.
• ALWAYS turn off the power to the circuit that you plan to work on by switching off the circuit break in the main service panel. If you do not know how to do this, do not attempt the project! Call a professional.
• MAINTAINING an appliance, or working on a lamp? Always unplug it first.
• TEST the wires before you touch them to make sure the power has been turned off. Again, if you do not know how to do this, call a professional.
• NEVER TOUCH plumbing or gas pipes when performing a do-it-yourself electrical project.

Just to reinforce it one more time, it is strongly recommended that you hire a qualified, licensed electrician to perform any electrical work in your home. However, if you do decide to move forward on your own, please keep these tips in mind.

Your friends at GRDA want you to always stay safe around electricity.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.