Electrical outlets are usually installed at a height at or near a child's eye level, and a child's curiosity can draw them to explore, making electrical outlets a source of worry for many parents.
The chance of electrocution is small, but the results can be devastating. According to a 1994 estimate of electrocutions released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 890 deaths in 1984, decreasing to 560 in 1994. (These figures include all age groups and count only fatalities and not shocks and injuries.)
In another study conducted in 1997, the CPSC found:
* 86 percent of reported injuries involved children 1 to 4 years old
* The highest frequency of home electrical injuries occurred at mealtimes
* The most commonly used foreign objects inserted into outlets were keys and hairpins
This indicates that many home electrocution and shock injuries involve unsupervised children. There are simple measures that can be taken to avoid injury or death to a child.
Plastic outlet protectors
Most of us are familiar with plastic outlet protectors. The prongs fit directly into the outlet holes, preventing the insertion of foreign objects. But many parents say they feel a little uneasy about the effectiveness of these devices. A study of 37 children conducted in 1997 by the Biokinetics Research Laboratory of Temple University seems to confirm their reservations:
* 47 percent of 4-year-olds and 31 percent of 2-year-olds could remove protectors with a round, flat face and two prongs
* 47 percent of 4-year-olds and 18 percent of 2-year-olds could remove protectors with a 3/16-inch thick oval face and a tapered side
* 100 percent of 2- and 4-year-olds could remove protectors with a 1/16-inch thick oval face and a flat side
Child tamper-resistant outlets
A few electrical device manufacturers make electrical outlets that are intended to prevent a child from inserting something into the outlet holes. They look just like any other outlet, but behind the face of the receptacle are plastic shutters.
These shutters are designed to remain closed until a plug is inserted. When something is inserted into both vertical outlet holes at the same time, the interior plastic shutters open. Its safety is premised on the fact that most young children will not try to stick two objects into the two vertical outlet holes at the same time.
These outlets cost $4 to $6 each, as compared to $1 to $3 each for a typical electrical outlet receptacle. They require no additional labor to install than typical outlet receptacles. These outlets are available through your local electrical supply store or your electrician.
Child tamper-resistant outlet face covers
Electrical outlet receptacle covers have faces that swivel or slide over the outlet holes. Some are intended as replacement face covers; others install over existing outlet face covers.
The electrical outlet face covers cost anywhere from $3 to $6 each. Those that replace the existing outlet face cover can be bought from your local electrical supply store or your electrician. The after-market faceplate that fits over the existing outlet faceplate is sold through baby product magazines, discount stores and building supply stores.
State Farm® believes the information contained in the Disaster Survival House is reliable and accurate. We cannot, however, guarantee the performance of all items demonstrated or described in all situations. Always consult an experienced contractor or other expert to determine the best application of these ideas or products in your home.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Protect yourself and your home from electrical hazards
By recognizing electrical hazards that may be present in your home, you can protect your family, home and assets from damage caused by electrical surges.
To prevent such damage, consider using lightning protection systems and surge protection devices and investing in Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs), and follow some general prevention tips.
Where do electrical surges come from?
Electrical surges happen in storms when:
* Electric utility lines touch one another
* Power grid switching occurs
* Air conditioning units, furnaces, refrigerators or vacuum cleaners turn on and off.
* Lightning strikes within two miles of a home
Lightning Protection Systems
* Provide a direct path for the lightning to follow to the ground
* Prevent destruction, damage, injury or death as it travels that path
When there is lightning nearby:
* Do not use the telephone except in an emergency.
* Stay away from electrical appliances, TVs, fireplaces, metal objects, windows or doors.
* Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle.
* If you cannot find shelter, find a low lying area, crouch down with feet together and hands on your knees until the storm is over.
* Avoid isolated trees, high ground, bodies of water or large open areas.
* If someone is injured, administer first aid, if you are qualified to do so, and call for emergency help. You cannot be shocked by someone who has been hit by lightning.
Surge Protection Devices
Properly installed surge protection devices (SPDs), combined with a good grounding system, should protect your electronic and electrical appliances from all but the most severe electrical surges. An SPD does not suppress or arrest a surge; it actually diverts the surge to the ground.
Each time a surge occurs, the damage to the electronic or electrical appliance accumulates, weakening the appliance components until they finally fail.
Things to consider when looking for SPDs:
* The surge protector should be listed to UL Standard 1449.
* The surge protector must be capable of protecting all power and signal lines that are connected to the protected equipment.
* Examples of signal lines: phone lines and coaxial cable from satellite, cable TV or external antenna.
* Select a surge protector that has an indicating light and/or audible alarm to show when it needs replacement.
* Look for SPDs that come with a manufacturer's warranty. Some warranties cover only the device; others also cover the damaged equipment and electrical wire insulation chewed by rodents.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)
AFCIs are able to detect certain types of dangerous arcing conditions. They look and work just like conventional circuit breakers and fit into electrical panels in the same way. Not only do they protect against overloads and short circuits, but they also electronically sense arcing.
Consider using AFCIs in older homes that may have aged or damaged electrical wire insulation. It may also be wise for newly constructed houses to have an AFCI due to electrical wires that may have been damaged by nails and screws that are concealed inside walls and ceilings.
Service Entrance Lines
* Use caution around above-ground service entrance lines. Contact with entrance lines by objects such as ladders or a child's kite could result in electrocutions.
* Contact the utility company before digging around underground service entrances.
Fuse and Circuit Breaker Boxes
* Enclose fuses and circuit breakers in a panel box. Interior wiring should never be visible. Always keep the panel door closed and latched.
* Keep the area around the electrical panel free of combustible materials.
* If you notice burn marks, hear buzzing or cracking or smell burning plastic around or inside the electrical panel, have a qualified electrician check the panel immediately.
* Keep on hand spare fuses of the proper size for the circuit they protect. Over fusing presents a severe fire hazard as circuits can overheat when they carry more current than that for which they were designed.
* When screw-type fuses require replacement, S-type fuses should be used.
* If fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently, it may be an indication that the circuits are overloaded. Have a qualified electrician inspect the circuit and make the appropriate repairs.
Electrical Cords
* Extension cords are a temporary, not permanent, wiring solution.
* Avoid overheating by using extension cords of the proper size for the load they will carry and by using cords as short as practical.
* Regularly check cords for damage and never repair by splicing.
* Avoid using "octopus plugs" which allow many cords to be plugged into a single receptacle.
Electrical Appliances and Tools
* Hire a qualified electrician to replace two prong outlets with three prong GFCI outlets if your appliances have three prong plugs. Never remove the grounding prong on an appliance cord.
* Unplug any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock (i.e. tingling sensation) and have it checked by a qualified electrician or repair person.
To prevent such damage, consider using lightning protection systems and surge protection devices and investing in Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs), and follow some general prevention tips.
Where do electrical surges come from?
Electrical surges happen in storms when:
* Electric utility lines touch one another
* Power grid switching occurs
* Air conditioning units, furnaces, refrigerators or vacuum cleaners turn on and off.
* Lightning strikes within two miles of a home
Lightning Protection Systems
* Provide a direct path for the lightning to follow to the ground
* Prevent destruction, damage, injury or death as it travels that path
When there is lightning nearby:
* Do not use the telephone except in an emergency.
* Stay away from electrical appliances, TVs, fireplaces, metal objects, windows or doors.
* Seek shelter immediately in an enclosed building or vehicle.
* If you cannot find shelter, find a low lying area, crouch down with feet together and hands on your knees until the storm is over.
* Avoid isolated trees, high ground, bodies of water or large open areas.
* If someone is injured, administer first aid, if you are qualified to do so, and call for emergency help. You cannot be shocked by someone who has been hit by lightning.
Surge Protection Devices
Properly installed surge protection devices (SPDs), combined with a good grounding system, should protect your electronic and electrical appliances from all but the most severe electrical surges. An SPD does not suppress or arrest a surge; it actually diverts the surge to the ground.
Each time a surge occurs, the damage to the electronic or electrical appliance accumulates, weakening the appliance components until they finally fail.
Things to consider when looking for SPDs:
* The surge protector should be listed to UL Standard 1449.
* The surge protector must be capable of protecting all power and signal lines that are connected to the protected equipment.
* Examples of signal lines: phone lines and coaxial cable from satellite, cable TV or external antenna.
* Select a surge protector that has an indicating light and/or audible alarm to show when it needs replacement.
* Look for SPDs that come with a manufacturer's warranty. Some warranties cover only the device; others also cover the damaged equipment and electrical wire insulation chewed by rodents.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)
AFCIs are able to detect certain types of dangerous arcing conditions. They look and work just like conventional circuit breakers and fit into electrical panels in the same way. Not only do they protect against overloads and short circuits, but they also electronically sense arcing.
Consider using AFCIs in older homes that may have aged or damaged electrical wire insulation. It may also be wise for newly constructed houses to have an AFCI due to electrical wires that may have been damaged by nails and screws that are concealed inside walls and ceilings.
Service Entrance Lines
* Use caution around above-ground service entrance lines. Contact with entrance lines by objects such as ladders or a child's kite could result in electrocutions.
* Contact the utility company before digging around underground service entrances.
Fuse and Circuit Breaker Boxes
* Enclose fuses and circuit breakers in a panel box. Interior wiring should never be visible. Always keep the panel door closed and latched.
* Keep the area around the electrical panel free of combustible materials.
* If you notice burn marks, hear buzzing or cracking or smell burning plastic around or inside the electrical panel, have a qualified electrician check the panel immediately.
* Keep on hand spare fuses of the proper size for the circuit they protect. Over fusing presents a severe fire hazard as circuits can overheat when they carry more current than that for which they were designed.
* When screw-type fuses require replacement, S-type fuses should be used.
* If fuses blow or circuit breakers trip frequently, it may be an indication that the circuits are overloaded. Have a qualified electrician inspect the circuit and make the appropriate repairs.
Electrical Cords
* Extension cords are a temporary, not permanent, wiring solution.
* Avoid overheating by using extension cords of the proper size for the load they will carry and by using cords as short as practical.
* Regularly check cords for damage and never repair by splicing.
* Avoid using "octopus plugs" which allow many cords to be plugged into a single receptacle.
Electrical Appliances and Tools
* Hire a qualified electrician to replace two prong outlets with three prong GFCI outlets if your appliances have three prong plugs. Never remove the grounding prong on an appliance cord.
* Unplug any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock (i.e. tingling sensation) and have it checked by a qualified electrician or repair person.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Anna Maria Island Burglaries ~ Call to install your security alarms and lights today!
HOLMES BEACH – Speaking to a full house, police officials discussed the city’s recent increase in burglaries, ways residents could help police and programs available to deter crime at Thursday’s crime prevention forum.
“We are by no means sheltered from the criminal element,” Chief Jay Romine stressed. “You live in a nice area with nice houses, cars, stuff. Criminals don’t want junk; they’re going to target people like you.
“We want you to do everything you can to protect yourself and your property and help us. We have 14 officers, counting the three of us, to protect 5,000 people. We need you to be nosy and call us when you see something out of the ordinary.”
Romine said the recent increase in car, residential and business burglaries is not unique to the city. It’s happening all over the country as a result of the economic situation, when people become desperate after losing their jobs, or is tied to illegal drug use.
“Ninety percent of the cars burglarized are unlocked,” he pointed out. “Kids start at one end of the street and work their way down the road and check which cars are unlocked. It’s amazing what people leave in their vehicles – GPS units, guns, laptops, radar detectors – and don’t lock them.”
Programs to prevent crime
Lt. Dale Stephenson detailed some of the programs available to residents and business owners to help prevent crime.
“We have a house check program,” he said. “If you go on vacation or go away during the summer, you can come to the police department and sign up, and periodically an officer will walk around your house and make sure all the windows are closed, your doors are locked and there’s no problems.”
Another is the business trespass program in which a business owner can sign up to have police cite trespassers after hours. A third is the night eyes program in which an officer checks businesses during the night and leaves a card to let the owner know it was checked and secure. This requires no response from the business owner.
Stephenson said police also will help residents set up telephone trees or Neighborhood Watch programs and added, “When somebody’s going to commit a crime, they’re going to do things the easiest way. Every roadblock that you can put up makes you safer – motion sensor lights, keeping bushes away from windows, locking your doors.
“When you’re not in the area, tell your neighbor and not just your neighbor on the left or right, but a neighbor across the canal. Some of these burglaries were sliding glass door, back door entries.”
Romine recommended installing an alarm system because “there’s no better means of self assurance. They’re not that expensive and they give you tremendous peace of mind. The department’s average response time to an alarm is two and a half minutes.”
He suggested that people sign up for a ride along with an officer at night to see what he does and said people also could sign up for a house security check.
Property recovered
Det. Mike Leonard said there have been 36 arrests since June, when the upswing in burglaries began, and police have recovered and returned television sets, laptops, iPods, guns, GPS units, and gaming systems. He said the department’s patrol officers have been particularly diligent in collecting evidence to help solve the crimes.
“We are working with the Sheriff’s Office and Bradenton Beach Police,” he told the group. “There was a search warrant issued for a home in Bradenton Beach, and we recovered a lot of property from our vehicle burglaries.
“We have conducted several sweeps and sting operations, and you would not have recognize us if you would have seen us. We’re not just riding around in marked police cars.”
Law enforcement uses a system called Finder, a program in which pawnshops must send their receipts to the local sheriff’s office. The receipts are entered into a computer and it goes into a database, which local police departments can access.
Leonard said the problem comes when people do not record their serial numbers to show the item belongs to them and pointed out, “If you can’t positively identify it, there’s no way we can prove it’s yours. Jewelry – engrave it; put something on it that shows its yours.”
He said police also work with the Manatee County Crime Lab and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for evidence purposes.
Romine then told audience members that he conducted an experiment while they were listening to the presentations. His officers checked the vehicles in the parking lot and found most of them were unlocked. In plain view, they found GPS units, cell phones, digital camera, radar detectors, and gear bags.
‘You were here for a crime prevention lesson,” he stressed. “Lesson number one – lock your car! It only takes a second for someone to check your car, snatch what’s there and be gone.
“Holmes Beach seems small, but it’s not that small when you’re trying to protect everybody. We can’t be everywhere all the time. Do what you can to protect yourself.”
If you have a problem or emergency, dispatch is available 24 hours a day by calling 708-5804.
“We are by no means sheltered from the criminal element,” Chief Jay Romine stressed. “You live in a nice area with nice houses, cars, stuff. Criminals don’t want junk; they’re going to target people like you.
“We want you to do everything you can to protect yourself and your property and help us. We have 14 officers, counting the three of us, to protect 5,000 people. We need you to be nosy and call us when you see something out of the ordinary.”
Romine said the recent increase in car, residential and business burglaries is not unique to the city. It’s happening all over the country as a result of the economic situation, when people become desperate after losing their jobs, or is tied to illegal drug use.
“Ninety percent of the cars burglarized are unlocked,” he pointed out. “Kids start at one end of the street and work their way down the road and check which cars are unlocked. It’s amazing what people leave in their vehicles – GPS units, guns, laptops, radar detectors – and don’t lock them.”
Programs to prevent crime
Lt. Dale Stephenson detailed some of the programs available to residents and business owners to help prevent crime.
“We have a house check program,” he said. “If you go on vacation or go away during the summer, you can come to the police department and sign up, and periodically an officer will walk around your house and make sure all the windows are closed, your doors are locked and there’s no problems.”
Another is the business trespass program in which a business owner can sign up to have police cite trespassers after hours. A third is the night eyes program in which an officer checks businesses during the night and leaves a card to let the owner know it was checked and secure. This requires no response from the business owner.
Stephenson said police also will help residents set up telephone trees or Neighborhood Watch programs and added, “When somebody’s going to commit a crime, they’re going to do things the easiest way. Every roadblock that you can put up makes you safer – motion sensor lights, keeping bushes away from windows, locking your doors.
“When you’re not in the area, tell your neighbor and not just your neighbor on the left or right, but a neighbor across the canal. Some of these burglaries were sliding glass door, back door entries.”
Romine recommended installing an alarm system because “there’s no better means of self assurance. They’re not that expensive and they give you tremendous peace of mind. The department’s average response time to an alarm is two and a half minutes.”
He suggested that people sign up for a ride along with an officer at night to see what he does and said people also could sign up for a house security check.
Property recovered
Det. Mike Leonard said there have been 36 arrests since June, when the upswing in burglaries began, and police have recovered and returned television sets, laptops, iPods, guns, GPS units, and gaming systems. He said the department’s patrol officers have been particularly diligent in collecting evidence to help solve the crimes.
“We are working with the Sheriff’s Office and Bradenton Beach Police,” he told the group. “There was a search warrant issued for a home in Bradenton Beach, and we recovered a lot of property from our vehicle burglaries.
“We have conducted several sweeps and sting operations, and you would not have recognize us if you would have seen us. We’re not just riding around in marked police cars.”
Law enforcement uses a system called Finder, a program in which pawnshops must send their receipts to the local sheriff’s office. The receipts are entered into a computer and it goes into a database, which local police departments can access.
Leonard said the problem comes when people do not record their serial numbers to show the item belongs to them and pointed out, “If you can’t positively identify it, there’s no way we can prove it’s yours. Jewelry – engrave it; put something on it that shows its yours.”
He said police also work with the Manatee County Crime Lab and Florida Department of Law Enforcement for evidence purposes.
Romine then told audience members that he conducted an experiment while they were listening to the presentations. His officers checked the vehicles in the parking lot and found most of them were unlocked. In plain view, they found GPS units, cell phones, digital camera, radar detectors, and gear bags.
‘You were here for a crime prevention lesson,” he stressed. “Lesson number one – lock your car! It only takes a second for someone to check your car, snatch what’s there and be gone.
“Holmes Beach seems small, but it’s not that small when you’re trying to protect everybody. We can’t be everywhere all the time. Do what you can to protect yourself.”
If you have a problem or emergency, dispatch is available 24 hours a day by calling 708-5804.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Developing your Home Theater Plan
This article provides 10 useful tips to help you develop a workable plan for your new home theater system, how to find a qualified home theater installer, get a fair price, and have years of trouble-free service.
1. Define What You Want
Before starting any home theater project, carefully evaluate what you want done. Take the time to list exactly what qualities your home theater should have and what you want a contractor to do. Speak with your family about expectations for use. For example, you might want a dedicated theater room to escape, the "fortress of solitude".
Your family, on the other hand, might prefer a multi-function media room where everyone can meet and be entertained. Here are some questions to ask yourself (and your family) before you buy:
• Will your "theater" room be used for multi-tasking entertaining or single purpose?
• What will you primarily watch: movies, sports, TV sitcoms, or variety/entertainment?
• Are you especially impressed (or indifferent) to good quality sound systems?
• Do you have frequent guests for parties, "movie nights" or sporting events?
• Do you want speakers to be out on display or hidden in the walls?
• Are you easy-going or inflexible in your decorating tastes? For example, would you be willing to put in dark-fabric walls and sound deadening panels to perfect the acoustics in a room?
• Do you want to use existing furniture or would you consider specialized home theater seating?
• Do you want to consider expanding your project to include convenience features like automating your home with lighting controls, alarm and security systems, outdoor lighting, or central vacuum systems?
Finally, educate yourself about the technology of sight and sound: you don't have to be an expert in buzzwords like THX, Dolby HD, HDMI, DLP or the rest of the alphabet, but you should know a bit about the pros and cons of a plasma or LCD flat panel display vs. a front projector. Try visiting informational websites such as www.hometheatermag.com or www.electronichouse.com to get familiar with choices and topics, but avoid getting fixated on a single brand or technology just yet. The more you know in advance about the scope and scale of your project and prices of the gear, the better prepared you are when you meet with an installer.
Taking your time at the start of a project to focus your choices increases the odds that you will be satisfied with the end result.
2. Define Where You Want It
It might seem obvious, but think about where you want to install your home theater. For example, some people want to convert a basement into a theater room. Others have a specialized den, spare bedroom, family room, even a garage. You'll want not only a home theater installer/integrator, but perhaps a home improvement contractor to discuss structural elements such as walls, carpeting, electrical and or plumbing issues.
3. Set a Budget Range, not a Limit
Set a working budget range for your project, but don't lock yourself in to a specific figure just yet. Next, consider how you will pay for the project: cash on hand or financing.
Unless you are buying a relatively inexpensive system, most people finance part of their home theater project with a home equity line of credit or financing plan.
There is no "average" price for a home theater, but most people spend at least $10,000 and it is not unusual to spend $35,000 for a good-quality front projection home theater room with top-quality components and custom features. These budgets sound expensive but not if you go out to the movies once or twice a month. These days, dinner and a movie plus a babysitter could cost you $150, about equal to a monthly payment on a home theater system.
It is important to be flexible about your budget to accommodate one or two additional items (or to trade-off and remove items). At this point you want to know your comfort level for spending.
4. Find a Local Expert Installer
While you might be great at programming the remote, you are probably lousy at hiding the wires. Or you might be an accomplished carpenter but get overwhelmed by the myriad choices for home theater display technology. Relax and find a professional. This pre-selection and pre-assembly process, better known as "integration," is crucial to having a great home theater. The best installers have years of experience in working with systems and making them work.
Home theater pros have a rare blend of essential skills: equal parts computer programmer, carpenter, AV "geek" and acoustic designer. The best ones can add value by pre-selecting the systems that provide the best overall result and provide years of enjoyment.
Dealer locators on manufacturer's websites are the most obvious way consumers find installers, but these sites list only installers or resellers of a single brand. One site that assures objectivity and choices is www.allhometheaters.com, a web database that lists virtually ALL home theater and home automation specialists in the US and Canada. The site lets you search by project category AND by proximity to your home zip code. All listings include phone numbers and city/State. Some enhanced listings feature valuable discount coupons, web links, and project "samples" showing completed work. The site also features a cool CAD-style room layout software (free) that allows you to generate professionally looking drawings of your theater room.
5. The Interview Process
Meet with multiple installers in person (your place or theirs) to make sure there is a mutual understanding about what needs to be done. Chemistry is as important as price and skill.
Answers to the following questions reveal a lot about the professional you wish to hire:
a. How long have they have been in business?
b. Will your project require a permit?
c. Have they done similar projects in your community?
d. Are they available to do the work as described?
e. What changes to the project "concept" would they recommend if budget were doubled? Halved?
f. What guarantees do they offer?
g. Will they service broken equipment?
h. How do they get involved in warranty issues?
Ask if they can finish the work in your time frame and how long they have been in business. Get copies of proof that they are licensed, bonded, and covered by workers ? compensation and liability insurance.
Make sure to get references of satisfied customers and check them out. For bigger projects, ask to interview satisfied customers to verify job satisfaction. If you can, try to get references from banks, suppliers, and subcontractors to make sure the prospective contractors are financially reliable.
Contact your local Better Business Council and state consumer protection office to find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor or their companies.
6. Understand the "After-Sale" Services
An often overlooked aspect of any professional installation job is who pays if the system breaks? The old saying "the service doesn't stop after the sale" is appropriate yet few people ? buyer and seller ? are willing to talk about it!
Realistically most installers will return once or twice to make (free) service calls if they feel you are legitimately having difficulties that were caused by poor installation. After that, most installers will not be willing to make house calls unless you pay. There are some exceptions, of course, but you should ask before, not after, you sign the work order.
Talk to the installer frankly about what typically goes wrong with the home theater systems you are considering. Most solid state electronics and speakers work fine, but custom-programmed control systems can have software bugs. Wires become dislodged. Batteries die. Plasmas sometimes have bad pixels or burned images. Projector lamps burn out after several thousand hours of use.
Here's some questions you should ask before you sign a contract:
• "If my system breaks, who will do the repairs? Specifically, who will come to my home?"
• "If you can't fix it, who is responsible to uninstall it, pack it up and ship it back to the repair center or the factory? If that happens, who pays shipping?
• "Who comes back to my house when the system is fixed to reinstall it?
• "Are these services all guaranteed and in writing?
The real purpose of asking these uncomfortable yet vital questions up front is that you will see the true colors of the installer. Do they dismiss away your concerns (a bad sign), talk about their hourly labor rate and extended warranties (not as bad a sign), or use the opportunity to discuss real-world issues and how they handle them. (actually a good sign). Will they proudly point to their written service guarantee (a very good sign) or simply give you an extra 10% discount if you sign up today (usually a bad sign).
7. Get it in Writing
Once you have a clear picture of what you want, be sure to get written estimates from the installer based on the same plans and specifications for proper comparison.
After you pick an installer, agree upon a written contract. Be sure that your plans are thought out thoroughly. Charges for change orders and extras add up very quickly. The final payment should not be made until the job has passed final inspection. The contract should include at least the following:
a) Both of your names, addresses and specific details of the work to be performed.
b) Specifics of materials to be used, including color, model, size, brand name and product.
c) Start and estimated completion dates.
d) Details on when and how payments will be made.
Don't be rushed into signing quickly. Take your time to make a decision and get a second opinion before you sign anything. Any genuinely good deal will still be there tomorrow.
8. Use the Internet for Research, Not for Purchase
This is perhaps the most controversial piece of advice. The internet is a terrific resource for educating yourself about technology options. However, a decent home theater system is not a "do-it-yourself" kind of project. You should avoid buying on line unless you also know that your installer will accept responsibility for installing it. Be careful. Most installers won't install products they don't sell.
Your Internet research should give you a fair approximation for costs. Feel free to use that information to negotiate a fair price with an installer BEFORE the contract is signed. However, avoid the temptation of trying to win further price concessions by asking your dealer for "price matching" a low-ball price AFTER you've agreed to a price. You will certainly create ill-will with your installer when your real objective is to create a smooth, professional partnership focused on a terrific home theater system.
9. Accepting MSRP as a "Fair" Price
When you deal with a professional installer, yes, you will likely pay "retail" for the electronic equipment, speakers and displays you buy. This is in stark contrast to the low, low prices you see on the Internet. This is not a bad thing, and no, you are not a dummy for paying "retail". Here's why.
First, many better brands won't sell to any dealer that sells at a deep discount or sells via the Internet. If you can buy it "on-line," chances are the manufacturer is trying to move quantity, not quality.
Second, most reputable brands aren't sold via on-line sites, so most Internet prices you may see are actually pure fiction. When you go to buy, your first choice is out of stock, but *surprise*, the merchant has a "great" deal on a second-class brand. Don't fall for this classic bait-and-switch tactic.
Third, excessive discounting and wide-spread distribution (brands seen ONLY on-line) may be an indication that the manufacturer is focused on selling volume for little or no profit and, therefore, may have less money/people available for service, warranty and repairs. You'll get a "great" deal on line only to find that spare parts are expensive, the warranty policies are cheap and hostile, and obtaining service is like pulling teeth.
Finally, like other major "appliances" in your home, home theater systems are somewhat complicated to install. Equipment prices are only about half the total value of a project, the remainder being integration/installation and service. When evaluating bids, keep in mind the value of these extra services. Full-service dealers often include these services in the price, which will save you money in the long run vs. an on-line deal.
10. How to Pay for It:
First, unless you have done work with the installer before, it is a good idea never to pre-pay for all the work. Some dealers legitimately ask for a 50% deposit which they use to purchase equipment and begin designs. Be wary about paying more of a down payment.
Second, if the job is rather extensive (taking more than a month), it is not unreasonable for an installer to ask for staggered payments.
Third, you should withhold a small amount -- say 10% -- until the project is "complete." Be considerate, however, about the definition of "complete." If the original estimate and project have been completed, the installer deserves payment in full for a job well done.
Choosing the perfect home theater installer can appear to be a daunting task. But with a little research. Industry know-how, and common sense, you can have the home theater of your dreams and be assured the dream will last for years to come!
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1. Define What You Want
Before starting any home theater project, carefully evaluate what you want done. Take the time to list exactly what qualities your home theater should have and what you want a contractor to do. Speak with your family about expectations for use. For example, you might want a dedicated theater room to escape, the "fortress of solitude".
Your family, on the other hand, might prefer a multi-function media room where everyone can meet and be entertained. Here are some questions to ask yourself (and your family) before you buy:
• Will your "theater" room be used for multi-tasking entertaining or single purpose?
• What will you primarily watch: movies, sports, TV sitcoms, or variety/entertainment?
• Are you especially impressed (or indifferent) to good quality sound systems?
• Do you have frequent guests for parties, "movie nights" or sporting events?
• Do you want speakers to be out on display or hidden in the walls?
• Are you easy-going or inflexible in your decorating tastes? For example, would you be willing to put in dark-fabric walls and sound deadening panels to perfect the acoustics in a room?
• Do you want to use existing furniture or would you consider specialized home theater seating?
• Do you want to consider expanding your project to include convenience features like automating your home with lighting controls, alarm and security systems, outdoor lighting, or central vacuum systems?
Finally, educate yourself about the technology of sight and sound: you don't have to be an expert in buzzwords like THX, Dolby HD, HDMI, DLP or the rest of the alphabet, but you should know a bit about the pros and cons of a plasma or LCD flat panel display vs. a front projector. Try visiting informational websites such as www.hometheatermag.com or www.electronichouse.com to get familiar with choices and topics, but avoid getting fixated on a single brand or technology just yet. The more you know in advance about the scope and scale of your project and prices of the gear, the better prepared you are when you meet with an installer.
Taking your time at the start of a project to focus your choices increases the odds that you will be satisfied with the end result.
2. Define Where You Want It
It might seem obvious, but think about where you want to install your home theater. For example, some people want to convert a basement into a theater room. Others have a specialized den, spare bedroom, family room, even a garage. You'll want not only a home theater installer/integrator, but perhaps a home improvement contractor to discuss structural elements such as walls, carpeting, electrical and or plumbing issues.
3. Set a Budget Range, not a Limit
Set a working budget range for your project, but don't lock yourself in to a specific figure just yet. Next, consider how you will pay for the project: cash on hand or financing.
Unless you are buying a relatively inexpensive system, most people finance part of their home theater project with a home equity line of credit or financing plan.
There is no "average" price for a home theater, but most people spend at least $10,000 and it is not unusual to spend $35,000 for a good-quality front projection home theater room with top-quality components and custom features. These budgets sound expensive but not if you go out to the movies once or twice a month. These days, dinner and a movie plus a babysitter could cost you $150, about equal to a monthly payment on a home theater system.
It is important to be flexible about your budget to accommodate one or two additional items (or to trade-off and remove items). At this point you want to know your comfort level for spending.
4. Find a Local Expert Installer
While you might be great at programming the remote, you are probably lousy at hiding the wires. Or you might be an accomplished carpenter but get overwhelmed by the myriad choices for home theater display technology. Relax and find a professional. This pre-selection and pre-assembly process, better known as "integration," is crucial to having a great home theater. The best installers have years of experience in working with systems and making them work.
Home theater pros have a rare blend of essential skills: equal parts computer programmer, carpenter, AV "geek" and acoustic designer. The best ones can add value by pre-selecting the systems that provide the best overall result and provide years of enjoyment.
Dealer locators on manufacturer's websites are the most obvious way consumers find installers, but these sites list only installers or resellers of a single brand. One site that assures objectivity and choices is www.allhometheaters.com, a web database that lists virtually ALL home theater and home automation specialists in the US and Canada. The site lets you search by project category AND by proximity to your home zip code. All listings include phone numbers and city/State. Some enhanced listings feature valuable discount coupons, web links, and project "samples" showing completed work. The site also features a cool CAD-style room layout software (free) that allows you to generate professionally looking drawings of your theater room.
5. The Interview Process
Meet with multiple installers in person (your place or theirs) to make sure there is a mutual understanding about what needs to be done. Chemistry is as important as price and skill.
Answers to the following questions reveal a lot about the professional you wish to hire:
a. How long have they have been in business?
b. Will your project require a permit?
c. Have they done similar projects in your community?
d. Are they available to do the work as described?
e. What changes to the project "concept" would they recommend if budget were doubled? Halved?
f. What guarantees do they offer?
g. Will they service broken equipment?
h. How do they get involved in warranty issues?
Ask if they can finish the work in your time frame and how long they have been in business. Get copies of proof that they are licensed, bonded, and covered by workers ? compensation and liability insurance.
Make sure to get references of satisfied customers and check them out. For bigger projects, ask to interview satisfied customers to verify job satisfaction. If you can, try to get references from banks, suppliers, and subcontractors to make sure the prospective contractors are financially reliable.
Contact your local Better Business Council and state consumer protection office to find out if any complaints have been filed against the contractor or their companies.
6. Understand the "After-Sale" Services
An often overlooked aspect of any professional installation job is who pays if the system breaks? The old saying "the service doesn't stop after the sale" is appropriate yet few people ? buyer and seller ? are willing to talk about it!
Realistically most installers will return once or twice to make (free) service calls if they feel you are legitimately having difficulties that were caused by poor installation. After that, most installers will not be willing to make house calls unless you pay. There are some exceptions, of course, but you should ask before, not after, you sign the work order.
Talk to the installer frankly about what typically goes wrong with the home theater systems you are considering. Most solid state electronics and speakers work fine, but custom-programmed control systems can have software bugs. Wires become dislodged. Batteries die. Plasmas sometimes have bad pixels or burned images. Projector lamps burn out after several thousand hours of use.
Here's some questions you should ask before you sign a contract:
• "If my system breaks, who will do the repairs? Specifically, who will come to my home?"
• "If you can't fix it, who is responsible to uninstall it, pack it up and ship it back to the repair center or the factory? If that happens, who pays shipping?
• "Who comes back to my house when the system is fixed to reinstall it?
• "Are these services all guaranteed and in writing?
The real purpose of asking these uncomfortable yet vital questions up front is that you will see the true colors of the installer. Do they dismiss away your concerns (a bad sign), talk about their hourly labor rate and extended warranties (not as bad a sign), or use the opportunity to discuss real-world issues and how they handle them. (actually a good sign). Will they proudly point to their written service guarantee (a very good sign) or simply give you an extra 10% discount if you sign up today (usually a bad sign).
7. Get it in Writing
Once you have a clear picture of what you want, be sure to get written estimates from the installer based on the same plans and specifications for proper comparison.
After you pick an installer, agree upon a written contract. Be sure that your plans are thought out thoroughly. Charges for change orders and extras add up very quickly. The final payment should not be made until the job has passed final inspection. The contract should include at least the following:
a) Both of your names, addresses and specific details of the work to be performed.
b) Specifics of materials to be used, including color, model, size, brand name and product.
c) Start and estimated completion dates.
d) Details on when and how payments will be made.
Don't be rushed into signing quickly. Take your time to make a decision and get a second opinion before you sign anything. Any genuinely good deal will still be there tomorrow.
8. Use the Internet for Research, Not for Purchase
This is perhaps the most controversial piece of advice. The internet is a terrific resource for educating yourself about technology options. However, a decent home theater system is not a "do-it-yourself" kind of project. You should avoid buying on line unless you also know that your installer will accept responsibility for installing it. Be careful. Most installers won't install products they don't sell.
Your Internet research should give you a fair approximation for costs. Feel free to use that information to negotiate a fair price with an installer BEFORE the contract is signed. However, avoid the temptation of trying to win further price concessions by asking your dealer for "price matching" a low-ball price AFTER you've agreed to a price. You will certainly create ill-will with your installer when your real objective is to create a smooth, professional partnership focused on a terrific home theater system.
9. Accepting MSRP as a "Fair" Price
When you deal with a professional installer, yes, you will likely pay "retail" for the electronic equipment, speakers and displays you buy. This is in stark contrast to the low, low prices you see on the Internet. This is not a bad thing, and no, you are not a dummy for paying "retail". Here's why.
First, many better brands won't sell to any dealer that sells at a deep discount or sells via the Internet. If you can buy it "on-line," chances are the manufacturer is trying to move quantity, not quality.
Second, most reputable brands aren't sold via on-line sites, so most Internet prices you may see are actually pure fiction. When you go to buy, your first choice is out of stock, but *surprise*, the merchant has a "great" deal on a second-class brand. Don't fall for this classic bait-and-switch tactic.
Third, excessive discounting and wide-spread distribution (brands seen ONLY on-line) may be an indication that the manufacturer is focused on selling volume for little or no profit and, therefore, may have less money/people available for service, warranty and repairs. You'll get a "great" deal on line only to find that spare parts are expensive, the warranty policies are cheap and hostile, and obtaining service is like pulling teeth.
Finally, like other major "appliances" in your home, home theater systems are somewhat complicated to install. Equipment prices are only about half the total value of a project, the remainder being integration/installation and service. When evaluating bids, keep in mind the value of these extra services. Full-service dealers often include these services in the price, which will save you money in the long run vs. an on-line deal.
10. How to Pay for It:
First, unless you have done work with the installer before, it is a good idea never to pre-pay for all the work. Some dealers legitimately ask for a 50% deposit which they use to purchase equipment and begin designs. Be wary about paying more of a down payment.
Second, if the job is rather extensive (taking more than a month), it is not unreasonable for an installer to ask for staggered payments.
Third, you should withhold a small amount -- say 10% -- until the project is "complete." Be considerate, however, about the definition of "complete." If the original estimate and project have been completed, the installer deserves payment in full for a job well done.
Choosing the perfect home theater installer can appear to be a daunting task. But with a little research. Industry know-how, and common sense, you can have the home theater of your dreams and be assured the dream will last for years to come!
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Thursday, January 21, 2010
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) Awareness PSA from ESFI
The “AFCI” is an arc fault circuit interrupter. AFCIs are newly-developed
electrical devices designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in the home electrical wiring.
Annually, over 40,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 350 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year1. Arcing faults are one of the major causes of these fires. When unwanted arcing occurs, it generates high temperatures that can ignite nearby combustibles such as wood, paper, and carpets. Arcing faults often occur in damaged or
deteriorated wires and cords. Some causes of damaged and deteriorated wiring include puncturing of wire insulation from picture hanging or cable staples, poorly installed outlets or switches, cords caught in doors
or under furniture, furniture pushed against plugs in an outlet, natural aging, and cord exposure to heat vents and sunlight.
HOW THE AFCI WORKS
Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits; so they do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic current flow. An AFCI is selective so that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. The AFCI circuitry continuously monitors current flow through the AFCI. AFCIs use unique current sensing circuitry to discriminate between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected, the control circuitry in the AFCI trips the internal contacts, thus de-energizing the circuit and reducing the potential for a fire to occur. An AFCI should not trip during normal arcing conditions, which can occur when a switch is opened or a plug is pulled from a receptacle. Presently, AFCIs are designed into conventional circuit breakers combining traditional overload and short-circuit protection with arc fault protection. AFCI circuit breakers (AFCIs) have a test button and look similar to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)circuit breakers. Some designs combine GFCI and AFCI protection. Additional AFCI design configurations are anticipated in the near future. It is important to note that AFCIs are designed to mitigate the effects of arcing faults but
cannot eliminate them completely. In some cases, the initial arc may cause ignition prior to detection and circuit interruption by the AFCI.
The AFCI circuit breaker serves a dual purpose – not only will it shut off electricity in the event of an “arcing fault”, but it will also trip when a short circuit or an overload occurs. The AFCI circuit breaker provides protection for the branch circuit wiring and limited protection for power cords and extension cords. Single-pole, 15- and 20- ampere AFCI circuit breakers are presently available. WHERE AFCIs SHOULD BE USED
The 1999 edition of the National Electrical Code, the model code for electrical wiring adopted by many local jurisdictions, requires AFCIs for receptacle outlets in bedrooms, effective January 1, 2002. Although the requirement is limited to only certain circuits in new residential construction, AFCIs should be considered for added protection in other
circuits and for existing homes as well. Older homes with aging and deteriorating wiring systems can especially benefit from the added protection of AFCIs. AFCIs should also be considered whenever adding or upgrading a panel box while using existing branch circuit conductors.
INSTALLING AFCIs
AFCI circuit breakers should be installed by a qualified electrician. The installer should follow the instructions accompanying the device and the panel box. In homes equipped with conventional circuit breakers rather than fuses, an AFCI circuit breaker may be installed in the panel box in place of the conventional circuit breaker to add arc protection to a branch circuit. Homes with fuses are limited to receptacle or portable-type AFCIs, which are expected to be available in the near future, or AFCI circuit breakers can be added in separate panel boxes next to the fuse panel box.
TESTING AN AFCI
AFCIs should be tested after installation to make sure they are working properly and protecting the circuit. Subsequently, AFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly and providing protection from fires initiated by arcing faults.
electrical devices designed to protect against fires caused by arcing faults in the home electrical wiring.
Annually, over 40,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 350 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year1. Arcing faults are one of the major causes of these fires. When unwanted arcing occurs, it generates high temperatures that can ignite nearby combustibles such as wood, paper, and carpets. Arcing faults often occur in damaged or
deteriorated wires and cords. Some causes of damaged and deteriorated wiring include puncturing of wire insulation from picture hanging or cable staples, poorly installed outlets or switches, cords caught in doors
or under furniture, furniture pushed against plugs in an outlet, natural aging, and cord exposure to heat vents and sunlight.
HOW THE AFCI WORKS
Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits; so they do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic current flow. An AFCI is selective so that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. The AFCI circuitry continuously monitors current flow through the AFCI. AFCIs use unique current sensing circuitry to discriminate between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected, the control circuitry in the AFCI trips the internal contacts, thus de-energizing the circuit and reducing the potential for a fire to occur. An AFCI should not trip during normal arcing conditions, which can occur when a switch is opened or a plug is pulled from a receptacle. Presently, AFCIs are designed into conventional circuit breakers combining traditional overload and short-circuit protection with arc fault protection. AFCI circuit breakers (AFCIs) have a test button and look similar to ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)circuit breakers. Some designs combine GFCI and AFCI protection. Additional AFCI design configurations are anticipated in the near future. It is important to note that AFCIs are designed to mitigate the effects of arcing faults but
cannot eliminate them completely. In some cases, the initial arc may cause ignition prior to detection and circuit interruption by the AFCI.
The AFCI circuit breaker serves a dual purpose – not only will it shut off electricity in the event of an “arcing fault”, but it will also trip when a short circuit or an overload occurs. The AFCI circuit breaker provides protection for the branch circuit wiring and limited protection for power cords and extension cords. Single-pole, 15- and 20- ampere AFCI circuit breakers are presently available. WHERE AFCIs SHOULD BE USED
The 1999 edition of the National Electrical Code, the model code for electrical wiring adopted by many local jurisdictions, requires AFCIs for receptacle outlets in bedrooms, effective January 1, 2002. Although the requirement is limited to only certain circuits in new residential construction, AFCIs should be considered for added protection in other
circuits and for existing homes as well. Older homes with aging and deteriorating wiring systems can especially benefit from the added protection of AFCIs. AFCIs should also be considered whenever adding or upgrading a panel box while using existing branch circuit conductors.
INSTALLING AFCIs
AFCI circuit breakers should be installed by a qualified electrician. The installer should follow the instructions accompanying the device and the panel box. In homes equipped with conventional circuit breakers rather than fuses, an AFCI circuit breaker may be installed in the panel box in place of the conventional circuit breaker to add arc protection to a branch circuit. Homes with fuses are limited to receptacle or portable-type AFCIs, which are expected to be available in the near future, or AFCI circuit breakers can be added in separate panel boxes next to the fuse panel box.
TESTING AN AFCI
AFCIs should be tested after installation to make sure they are working properly and protecting the circuit. Subsequently, AFCIs should be tested once a month to make sure they are working properly and providing protection from fires initiated by arcing faults.
Finding an Electrician
Choosing an electrician
The thought of having electrical work carried out in your home can be daunting, especially if you have to put your trust in an electrician you have never used before.
The Electrical Safety Council recommends that before you engage an electrician that you follow the below steps which should help to significantly reduce the chances of employing an incompetent electrician.
Finding an Electrician:
1. Contact the electrician and arrange for them to quote for the work, remember to be clear about what you want and always ask for a written specification and quotation.
2. Ask for references, a good electrician will not hesitate to provide them.
3. Ask the electricians to provide a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and inquire as to whether they have a complaints resolution process and if they offer a warranty.
4. If you are not employing the electrician directly but through a general contractor/builder, then we would still recommend that you check the electrician's credentials. If you have to request the information via your main contractor/builder do not be afraid to ask for more than verbal assurances as these will not provide you with any recourse if the electrician turns out to be a rogue electrician.
Before they start
So you've found an electrician and they are ready to start the work, what next:
1. Agree a timetable of work and get confirmation of their expected completion date in writing. For larger jobs, request regular updates on their progress and ask that if they are not going to meet the completion date given, that they advise you immediately.
2. Agree to payment terms so that you can ensure that you have the funds available.
3. Avoid dealing in cash as it is easy to lose track of what you have paid. Pay by check or credit card and always ask for a receipt/statement of account.
During the work
1. If you do need to make changes, confirm these with the electrician in writing.
2. If you have any concerns/questions talk to the electrician straight away. If you are dealing with a larger company speak to the person in charge, usually a supervisor or manager. Make it clear exactly what you are concerned/unhappy about, explain what you want done and give the electrician a chance to put things right.
The thought of having electrical work carried out in your home can be daunting, especially if you have to put your trust in an electrician you have never used before.
The Electrical Safety Council recommends that before you engage an electrician that you follow the below steps which should help to significantly reduce the chances of employing an incompetent electrician.
Finding an Electrician:
1. Contact the electrician and arrange for them to quote for the work, remember to be clear about what you want and always ask for a written specification and quotation.
2. Ask for references, a good electrician will not hesitate to provide them.
3. Ask the electricians to provide a copy of their Public Liability Insurance and inquire as to whether they have a complaints resolution process and if they offer a warranty.
4. If you are not employing the electrician directly but through a general contractor/builder, then we would still recommend that you check the electrician's credentials. If you have to request the information via your main contractor/builder do not be afraid to ask for more than verbal assurances as these will not provide you with any recourse if the electrician turns out to be a rogue electrician.
Before they start
So you've found an electrician and they are ready to start the work, what next:
1. Agree a timetable of work and get confirmation of their expected completion date in writing. For larger jobs, request regular updates on their progress and ask that if they are not going to meet the completion date given, that they advise you immediately.
2. Agree to payment terms so that you can ensure that you have the funds available.
3. Avoid dealing in cash as it is easy to lose track of what you have paid. Pay by check or credit card and always ask for a receipt/statement of account.
During the work
1. If you do need to make changes, confirm these with the electrician in writing.
2. If you have any concerns/questions talk to the electrician straight away. If you are dealing with a larger company speak to the person in charge, usually a supervisor or manager. Make it clear exactly what you are concerned/unhappy about, explain what you want done and give the electrician a chance to put things right.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
United Electric is a certified dealer of Monitronics ~
Why Monitronics for Home Security
Recently Recognized as One of the Best Home Security Companies in the Nation
Monitronics is one of the nation’s largest security companies and a recognized industry leader with our nationwide network of Authorized Dealers and award-winning Central Monitoring Center. In fact, Monitronics was recently recognized as one of the best home security companies in the United States by Frost & Sullivan, who named Monitronics Alarm Provider of the Year for 2008!
Monitronics utilizes state-of-the-industry alarm equipment from the nation’s top makers, GE and Honeywell. Plus, the industry's highest recognition for monitoring station excellence. Authorized Monitronics Dealers are ready and able nationwide to evaluate your home security needs to design a system for your lifestyle.
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