If you’re planning on doing any home repairs yourself, safety should be one of your primary concerns. Safety is a concern in any do-it-yourself project, but especially when the work includes a home’s electrical system. When working on or near electricity there is always the chance of shock, which is dangerous and should not be underestimated.

Before starting any project which involves electricity, you should at least be familiar with basic wiring practices know how to take precautions. If you are not qualified for electrical work, leave the installation or repair of your home’s electrical system to licensed electricians.

To ensure electrical safety, always have all electrical work inspected by a licensed electrical inspector. The inspector will look for specific “markers” — such as how the fixtures or switches are wired, and the neatness of the wiring runs — that indicate whether the work meets professional standards.

An inspector will also look closely at junction boxes, and especially at the main electrical panel, to be sure that everything is properly grounded.

If any code violations are found, no matter how small, they must be repaired before an inspector will approve your electrical system. This will help ensure the safety of your home’s electrical system.

If you’re like a lot of people, summer means spending way more time out in the yard and it’s tempting to bring things such as radios, fans, lights, and even televisions outside so everyone can enjoy them. Often, you will need to run one or more extension cords in order to power these items, and that can create some potential safety hazards.

In order to make using extension cords as safe as possible, follow these basic principles:

• Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; unplug and safely store them after every use.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.
• When using outside, make sure that they are not a tripping hazard, especially where small children are concerned.
• Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards
• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or tool being used.

Extension cords are a leading cause of electrical fires, so take a few minutes to make sure your outdoor fun activities are not creating hazards for you or your family.