Catalyst Electric

December is upon us and if you haven’t hung up your Christmas lights, we hope you get to it soon! Christmas lights are such a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday season and you should make sure that you’re doing it the safest way possible. When you decide to hang your lights, it’s important to keep in mind the electrical safety aspect. Exterior lights, especially, can be hazardous if they are hung incorrectly. Catalyst Electric in Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you with your electrical needs. In this blog, you’ll find some of our most valuable safety tips for hanging Christmas lights. Tip 1: Inspect Your Lights If you’re reusing lights from the previous year, make sure that you check them thoroughly for cracks, broken lights, or frayed ends. These types of issues could lead to serious fire hazards involving your home. According to the National Fire Protection Associate, United States fire departments respond to an average of 780 house fires caused by holiday decorations a...

A little common sense can go a long way when it comes to electricity. But some things are easy to overlook, and others are not as well known. So in today’s blog, we would like to talk to you about a few safety tips when it comes to electricity at your home. So keep reading to catch a few ideas to keep yourself and your family safe. Outlets One of the most important things to remember about outlets is to not overload them. If you use multiple splitters to be able to plug-in more things into the same outlet, that is a sign you need more outlets, not more splitters. If you are tripping breakers repeatedly, that can be an unsafe situation. Call a professional electrician at Lake of the Ozarks right away, and don’t forget to teach your family the same. Do you have outlets with only two holes in your home? It is not OK to remove the ground prong on the plug to fix the problem. Having only two holes means that your house is probably not wired with a ground wire, and that could be dangerous. ...

Electricity is an everyday part of our lives … in fact, we don’t know what to do without it! But it can also be dangerous if not handled properly, or if you don’t know the signs of an electrical hazard. As electricians at Lake of the Ozarks , we are fully aware that electrical problems can lead to house fires and other disasters. But those disasters can be preventable. So, today we wanted to share a few safety tips to keep you safe with electricity at home. If you want to know the signs to look for and hazards to avoid, we have details in this blog. Outlets - It is important not to overload your outlets. If you are using power strips to create more outlets, consider having more outlets installed. If you are tripping breakers repeatedly, that is a safety issue and you should call a professional electrician. Please tell your teens! - Electricity and water don’t mix. That is why GFCI outlets are a must in any area of your home near water or high moisture. If you do not have GFCI outlets, ...

We often take our electricity for granted becasue we us it everyday. Accidents around electricity happen every day, but many of these accidents can be avoided with a little education. Safety is our top priority at Catalyst Electric and we want to share with you a few general safety tips for electricity in your home. Safe Handling with Plugs, Extention Cords, and Other Cords   Always pull the plug NOT the cord when you disconnecting an electrical device. The third prong on an electrical device serves as a ground, never cut it off or use it if it is missing.  When using extension cords outdoors, always make sure they are rated to be used outside.  Never place an extension where it will frequently get stepped on such as under rugs or in doorways.  Extension cords should only be used for temporary use and never a permanent solution   Don't overload your outlets. If multiple devices need to be plugged in, use a certified power strip  S...

Colder weather is here and many of us utilize an electric fireplace as an additional heat source in our homes. Electric fireplaces are great for both heating and adding cozy appeal to our living spaces. Most electrical fireplaces are safe to use but as with any electrical appliance, there are a few safety precautions to take into consideration when in use. Today, our electricians at the Lake of the Ozarks have five safety tips for using electric fireplaces. #1 Keep Objects Away  Even though there is no real fire, you should still exercise caution and keep objects a safe distance away. The heat can be a fire hazard when it comes into contact with a nearby object. Keep objects such as toys, blankets, furniture, and electronics at least three feet away.  #2 Turn off When You're Away  You shouldn't leave your electric fireplace on when you're not home. When you leave your home, it's best to turn off the fireplace. Leaving your electric fireplace unplugged when i...