We don’t have snow for December in California, and we imagine most locals are a-okay with that. But homeowners still want some holiday cheer, and one of the best ways to pretend they’re in a winter wonderland while still only needing a windbreaker when outside is to put up a festive light show on the outside of the house. And a generous amount on the inside as well.
But there’s a potential downside to decorating with lights during the season. The amount of electrical demand a light display puts on the house can cause tripped circuit breakers. And it can even lead to house fires! We have some advice about electrical safety when it comes to lighting the street up and giving the living room a seasonal glow with your dazzling displays.
… or, to put it another way, “Aren’t power strips surge protectors?”
If you are shopping for a new home or are planning to sell your current one, you may have heard about how important it is for the house to be “up to code” or “code compliant.” What does this actually mean, and how do you find out if the house meets the code? 
This is a question homeowners often ask when they either have electrical wiring repairs that need to be done or when they’re contemplating a new installation, such as new lighting, a ceiling fan installation, or when wiring for an add-on room. It’s smart to look for places to save money in home improvement projects. But it’s much smarter to know when doing the work as a “do-it-yourself” project poses potential safety hazards.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the idea of a “home theater system” meant a nice television set in a room without too much light to distract from the screen. Anything more “theatrical” needed to have an expensive projection system and screen installed. Then along came stereo sound equipment. Then big screen TVs. Then surround-sound audio systems. Then flat-screen TVs. Then digital sound. Then HD TVs. Then 4K TVs. And who knows what else may be around the corner?
The electrical panel of your home, a.k.a. the circuit breaker panel, is the hub of your electrical system. It’s where the incoming electricity is routed to the different circuits. The breakers are designed to shut off circuits in case of a voltage overload. If you have an old circuit breaker panel, you should make sure you aren’t overdue for having it upgraded.
With all the storms that have struck the East Coast and the Southeastern U.S. over the past few years, whole-house generators have become more vital than ever for keeping houses powered and families comfortable and safe.
The circuit breaker panel (a.k.a. the electrical panel) is the central “switching station” for electricity in your house. Its breakers are designed to trip and cut off electrical flow to individual circuits in situations where there is excessive voltage. This protects the electrical system from damage, and in turn helps keep your home safer.
