Preparation is key when it comes to portable generators. Before the storms arrive, familiarize yourself with the following safety tips to make sure you can properly operate and maintain your generator before it’s called into action.

Connections

Always plug appliances directly into generators. Connecting the generator to a home’s circuits or wiring must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician who will install a transfer switch to prevent backfeeding.

Wiring

Never connect a generator directly to your home’s wiring unless the home has been wired for generator use. This can cause backfeeding along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with the generator. Have a licensed electrician install the equipment to safely connect emergency generators.

Maintenance

Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down. Keep the generator dry on a flat, dry surface under an open structure, and never fuel a generator while it is operating.

Cords

Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords free of cuts or tears, and be sure that the plug has three prongs. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.

Use sparingly

Never overload a generator. A portable generator should only be used when necessary to power essential equipment or appliances. Look at the labels on lighting, appliances and equipment to determine the amount of power needed to operate the equipment.

The holiday season is in full swing, which means many of us will find ourselves in the kitchen prepping for upcoming celebrations. In the rush of gearing up for holiday get-togethers, cooking safety can sometimes be put on the backburner, no pun intended.

Inattention and electrical appliances don’t mix well, which is why it’s important to keep your focus on the delicious dishes you are preparing. Starting a dish on the stovetop or in the toaster oven then moving on to other tasks might seem like a good way to gain efficiencies, but that distraction could cause a big problem. Reports from the National Fire Prevention Association state that unattended equipment is cited as the leading cause for 32 percent of home cooking fires.
When frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food, always remain in the kitchen, and keep anything flammable – oven mitts, food wrappers, towels or wooden utensils – away from the stovetop or cooking surface.

Another aspect of cooking safety that’s often overlooked is the condition of the appliances being used. Check that yours are still in good working condition before putting them to work, and never use an appliance that’s in obvious disrepair or one that’s already had an over-extended cooking career.

Ask yourself just how many Christmases has that crockpot seen? The lifespan of small appliances greatly depends on how often they are used, how well they are maintained and how well their quality holds up. The average life expectancy of most small kitchen appliances ranges from five to 10 years. For example, mid- to high-end toasters can last six to eight years, and a toaster oven works an average of five years. If you’ve celebrated your 15th wedding anniversary and you’re still regularly using the crockpot or toaster you received as a wedding present, it might be time to add a new one to your Christmas list.

To stay safe while cooking, keep these additional tips in mind when you begin your food prep:

• Make sure your appliances are plugged into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. When working properly, the GFCI senses any power flow imbalances and in turn trips the circuit.
• Make sure all electric cords are in good working condition: do not use appliances with cords or plugs that are frayed, cracked, taped, have exposed wires or are otherwise questionable.
• If you use extension cords, make sure they are in good condition and that the correct type of cord is used for the job (for example, don’t use an everyday, thin extension cord for a high-powered appliance). Use them as a temporary solution, not a permanent one.
• Although often a task that gets skipped, read the appliance’s operating instructions prior to use.

When not in use, always unplug small appliances to prevent unnecessary energy consumption, especially if the appliance has LED displays or other standby energy-consuming features.

Without taking proper precautions, the enjoyment of a do-it-yourself project can quickly turn into a disaster. You may have all the latest power tools, hand tools, hardware and materials, but if you don’t put safety first, you may end up with a trip to the hospital instead of a new set of shelves, upgraded lighting in the kitchen or a trendy shiplap accent wall in the bedroom. Here are some fundamental workshop and electrical safety tips to keep things running smoothly.

1.Wear safety gear, glasses and gloves
The first rule of safety is to dress appropriately. Avoid loose clothing that can get caught in power tools and never wear dangling jewelry or scarves. Roll up your sleeves or choose ones that are tight against your skin. Closed-toe shoes are a must, and steel-toed boots are recommended.
Safety glasses are necessary 100 percent of the time, and ear protection may also be applicable depending on the project. Gloves are fine for handling materials, but before you reach for a belt sander or scroll saw, take the gloves off to minimize the risk of them getting caught. You also get tactile feedback in case anything goes wrong.

2. Observe electrical safety
Before you start any DIY project, inspect all your power tools and their cords for loose plugs, exposed wires or worn insulation. Fires are one of the top dangers when working with electric gear, especially if you have combustible materials around, such as sawdust or paint. If you must use an extension cord, choose one long, heavy-duty (appropriately rated) cord and keep it untangled and out of the way to prevent tripping. When done working, unplug everything from the extension cord and put it away.

3. Keep your work space clean
Anything left on the floor is a tripping hazard, and you do not want to imagine what could happen if you trip while using a power tool. The byproducts of do-it-yourself work, such as sawdust, cast-off nails and screws and rags or brushes with potentially combustible or hazardous fluids on them, increase the risk of fires and projectiles.

4. Keep tools in good condition
Besides inspecting the cords and plugs for electrical safety, everything works better if you have clean, sharp and well-lubricated tools. A dull saw blade brings a much higher chance of injury than a sharp one as it is less likely to cut smoothly through the wood or other material and more likely to kick back and cut you. Dull saws, routers or drill bits also run the risk of breaking during use. Use appropriate lubrication, such as WD-40 or others specifically created for power tools.

5. Know your limits
If you have a lot of experience as a do-it-yourselfer, there are projects you can tackle from memory. However, for maximum safety, approach anything new as if you are a beginner. Read instructions, look up reputable guide videos to refresh your skills or learn something new, and, most importantly, recognize when you are in over your head and leave those non-DIY projects to the professionals.

We all want our homes to be merry and bright with the holidays right around the corner, but are you doing everything you can to be safe when putting up your lights? When decorating your home for the holiday season, take a look at the following safety tips:

1. Consider purchasing LED holiday lights; they are cool to the touch and more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.
2. Test holiday lights by connecting each strand before hanging them.
3. Make sure there are no broken bulbs or damaged or grayed cords. Discard any defective strands.
4. Use holiday lights that include the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) label.
5. Avoid resting bulbs on tree needles and branches. Try using a clip to keep the bulbs upright.
6. Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
7. Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so take a look at a few tips you can implement to keep yourself safe online.

At a time when we are more connected than ever, being “cyber smart” is of the utmost importance. This year has already seen more than a fair share of cyberattacks and breaches, including the high-profile attacks on the Colonial Pipeline and other critical infrastructure. Furthermore, as underlined by these recent breaches, cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated with more evolved criminals cropping up each day. Luckily, there are several steps that we can take to mitigate risks and stay one step ahead of these cyberthreats.

Enable multi-factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds that necessary second check to verify your identity when logging in to one of your accounts. By requiring multiple methods of authentication, your account is further protected from being compromised, even if a criminal hijacks your password. In this way, MFAs make it more difficult for password-cracking tools to enable attackers to break into accounts. Also, with MFA enabled, if you get a notification for authorization and were not expecting the request, then you know someone is trying to access your account allowing you to login and change the password.

Use strong passwords and password manager

This may seem obvious, but all too often securing strong passwords is overlooked. People are spending more time online, and that has contributed to more prowling for accounts to attack. Using long, complex and unique passwords is a good way to stop your account from being hacked. With the need for stronger more lengthy passwords, an easy way of keeping track and remembering your passwords is by using a password manager such as LastPass, KeepPass, etc.

Perform software updates

When a device prompts you that it’s time to update the software, it may be tempting to simply click postpone and ignore the message. However, having the latest security software, web browser and operating system on devices is one of the best defenses against online threats. So, don’t wait – update.

Do your research

Common sense is a crucial part of maintaining good online hygiene, and an intuitive step to stay safe online is to do some research before downloading anything new to your device. Before downloading any new app, make sure that it’s safe by checking who created the app, what the user reviews say and if there are any articles published online about the app’s privacy and security features.

Check your settings

Be diligent to double check your privacy and security settings and be aware who can access your documents. This extends from Google docs to Zoom calls and beyond. For meetings on Zoom, for example, create passwords so only those invited to the session can attend, and restrict who can share their screen or files with the rest of the attendees.

Being “cyber smart” and maintaining stellar online hygiene is the best way to protect yourself and others from cyberattacks. No single tip is foolproof but taken together, they can make a real difference for taking control of your online presence. By taking preventive measures and making a habit of practicing online safety, you can exponentially decrease your odds of being hacked – and prevent lost time and money, as well as frustration.

In the event of a power outage, be prepared by keeping the following items in an easy-to-find emergency supply kit:

Water: Three-day supply, one gallon per person per day.

Tools: Flashlight, extra batteries, manual can opener, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.

First aid kit and prescriptions: First aid supplies, hand sanitizer and at least one week’s supply of prescriptions and medications for the family.

Medical devices

Many of us have emergency kits prepared in the event of a power outage. While we typically think of items such as water, nonperishable food and flashlights, those utilizing home medical devices requiring electricity have additional concerns to consider during an outage.

It’s important to prepare medical equipment (just as you would an emergency kit) before a storm occurs. First, check with your device manufacturer or consult the manual to determine if your device can be used with batteries or a generator. If the device can run on batteries, have plenty of extras ready before a potential weather event. Since outage lengths vary, it’s recommended to keep a week’s supply on hand.

Additionally, if your device requires water for use or cleaning, only use bottled, boiled or treated water until you are sure your local water supply is safe.

With your device, keep cards handy that have the following information.

Contact card that lists:

• Your name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Phone number
• The name and number of your doctor
• Updated emergency contacts

Device card that lists:

• The device type and model number
• Your local power company and phone number
• Your local fire department and phone number
• Ambulance service and phone number
• Your home care agency and phone number
• Your health care provider and phone number
• Device supplier and phone number

And don’t forget about any medications that need to be kept cold. During an outage, refrigerators will typically maintain a cool temperature for up to four hours, and medications can remain in a closed refrigerator during that time. If the outage lasts longer than four hours, remove the medications as soon as possible and place them in a cooler packed with ice or ice packs. To ensure the medications are safe for use, monitor the temperature of the cooler with a thermometer and keep medications out of direct contact with the ice to avoid freezing.

Once power is restored, check the settings on your device to make sure they have not changed, as they may return to default settings after a power outage.

In addition to these measures, it’s also important to include alternative living arrangements in your plan. In case of an extended outage, having one or more locations you could temporarily go to can also provide relief.

Power outages can be stressful, especially if you use medical equipment, but by planning now, you can achieve peace of mind if they do occur.