Electricity can be a lethal weapon that can threaten a person’s life or cause major injuries to yourself, others or your property. We would like to take the time to discuss some of the precautions to be taken after or during a power outage, flood or other life-threatening disaster.

Downed Power Lines carry large currents of electricity that could cause serious injury or even death. Never touch a downed power line with your hands or with any other object as your body is a conductor of electricity and the contact could electrocute you. If someone is in contact with the downed line, electricity can move through that person so do not touch the person. Call emergency right away.

Flooded Areas are also a large concern during a disaster. Submerged outlets or electrical cords could energize the water in a flooded area causing it to be a threat for anyone attempting to step into the area. Also, make sure to not use any electrical appliances that have been submerged under water until getting them checked by a professional. It is difficult to observe the electrical damage caused by water and without a trained eye, you could be putting yourself in danger.

Portable Generators, generally thought of as a good source of electricity and a “life saver” during a disaster, can also cause electrical safety issues. If the proper measures of care aren’t taken prior to the disaster, the portable generator could turn into an electrical safety hazard. Ensure that the generator is properly grounded, kept dry, and not overload. Do not connect the generator directly to household wiring. This can back feed along power lines and cause electrical danger to anyone who comes in contact with it.

If you are pre-warned of a potential disaster, turn off all your appliances, disconnect sockets, and switch off breakers. This will minimize the electrical dangers that may occur during or after the disaster and ultimately save the lives of your loved ones.

Contact Expert Electric at 604-681-8338 for more information on the precautions you should be taking to ensure the electrical safety of your home during a disaster.

If chosen wisely, kitchen island lights take center stage and bring star quality to this multipurpose “heart-of-the-home” station.

From classic and traditional to clean and contemporary, island lighting makes a world of difference, enhancing the appeal and function of your kitchen space.  Over the breakfast bar or full service cooking station, island light fixtures and lighting controls should create balance and deliver a blend of general/ambient, task and accent illumination.

1.  Opt for energy-efficient task light with CFL (compact fluorescent) or LED (light emitting diode) pendant lamps centered over the island workstation.  Updated CFL and LED lamps are dimmable and available with improved color-rendering and color temperature.  Look for bulbs with a CRI (color rendering index) of at least 80 (100 is perfect color rendition) and CCT (Correlated color temperature) between 2700K and 3500K.

2.  Look for shielded, but focused illumination. Light sources should be non-glaring to provide even, shadow-free illumination.

There’s a long checklist of to-dos and to-buys for leaving the nest and venturing out into the world. This list of LED dorm lighting ideas and LED gifts for college will make life away from home easier, safer, and even prettier!

Being a long way from home doesn’t come without its risks. Flat tires and breakdowns happen every day, and it’s best to be prepared for them. RGBW LED smart bulb replaces standard A19 globe bulbs and is designed to fit medium screw base sockets. It emits multicolored and white illumination and comes with a touch-color remote to control color, brightness, and nine dynamic fade/flash patterns. The long-lasting LED bulb can also be controlled with an Apple or Android smartphone or tablet with a Wi-Fi Controller Hub (sold separately).

If you’re searching for a way to control your lighting from anywhere and without flipping a switch, Wi-Fi LED lights are the perfect products. With a Wi-Fi LED Controller Hub, you can control compatible LED bulbs, LED flood lights, and LED strip lights with your Android or iOS-enabled smartphone or tablet. The Milight 3.0 app, along with a Wi-Fi compatible controller when necessary—allows you to power lights on and off, control multiple zones of lights, select from thousands of colors, choose from various single-color and color changing modes, and control brightness and speed.

Wi-Fi compatible flood lights are great for landscape lighting, tree uplighting, architectural wall washing, and other outdoor applications. These LED landscape lights are available in 30- and 50-watt versions and have separate LEDs for either white or colorful illumination. They plug into a standard 3-prong outlet and can be easily connected to a Wi-Fi hub. Connect multiple lights to the hub, and synchronize their color, brightness, or mode with your smartphone or tablet.