Well, it has happened.
Somehow those summer days have quietly slipped away, and we have found ourselves facing a new school year. And if you’re a parent, then you’ll likely be running around purchasing school supplies, making haircut appointments, ordering school uniforms, and maybe even pulling your hair out a little bit, too!
At ARS, we want you to know—we’ve got you! Since many of us at ARS are parents ourselves, we have some expert tips for keeping your home safe as your favorite humans head back to school.
5 Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe This School Year
At ARS, we love our customers. Which means we want to keep them safe—365 days a year. To help ensure a safe year, here are five tips to help achieve peace of mind as the kids head back into that school building this month.
1. Set up a safe homework space.
Whether it’s a nook in your child’s bedroom or an area in a common living space, having a designated work area for your child is key. Be sure this area is free from any distractions and offers enough room for your kid to work.
2. Keep electrical cords organized.
Once you have your child’s work area set up, you’ll likely have to work on keeping the area safe. Keep desk lamp cords, cell phone chargers, and laptop cords out from underneath carpet, rugs, or furniture as these can cause cord damage and even be a fire hazard. Being safe rather than sorry is the smartest way to avoid an emergency electrician visit!
3. Schedule fall HVAC maintenance pronto.
A new school year means a new routine of sporting events, teacher conferences, band concerts, and homework sessions. Scheduling an appointment for your annual HVAC maintenance check NOW so you don’t forget later (in the middle of all your child’s activities) is a smart choice.
4. Declutter.
Summer is fun, but it can lead to an accumulation of “stuff” lying around your home. When a new school year begins, it’s time to organize every room of the house. Toss old items that you don’t need and be sure there is no clutter or furniture covering your vents, too. Blocked vents can lead to uneven air flow and make your HVAC system work harder than it needs too.
5. Call an electrician if you notice hazards.
No one likes to be left in the dark. Especially when there is homework to be done! If your home has flickering lights, exposed electrical wiring, damaged plugs or switches, blown circuits or fuses that trip constantly, call a professional electrician for a safety check. We will give you that 100% peace of mind.
Bonus Tips to Keep Kids Safe
In addition to our five home tips, the Electrical Safety Foundation suggests the following guidelines for keeping kids safe at home this school year. And always remember, should you need an electrician at your home, the pros at ARS are just a click away when you need help—even in an emergency.
Take charge of your family’s safety by following these rules:
- Teach kids not to play near or around utility poles or power lines.
- Remind your kids to never play with electrical plugs.
- Unplug kitchen appliances when not in use.
- Be sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Always use GFCI protected outlets.
- Never leave stovetops unsupervised when in use.
The team at ARS hopes you and your children have an amazing new school year.
Need an electrician? Feel free to call us to schedule an appointment at 866-399-2885 or simply schedule it online right here.
