Seal Electrical Receptables to Stop Drafts
Almost everyone has experienced the discomfort of a cold draft around the ankles. That chilly air that attacks your toes can make you feel cold all over, and of course, any time you have to turn up the heat in your house to stay warm, you’re spending more money on energy too!
Sealing electrical receptacles on both the interior and exterior walls of your house can help reduce drafts and air leakage, as well as the risk of condensation and mold formation within the walls. It also helps to childproof the receptacles by preventing small fingers from poking around inside.
It’s a relatively simple project suitable for even a beginner do-it-yourselfer. You’ll need a flat-head screwdriver, a caulking gun, some paper towels, and thin rubber or plastic work gloves. For materials, you’ll need energy saver gaskets and childproofing safety inserts. You’ll also need clear, low residual odor, paintable caulking like siliconized latex.
Before you start, make sure that the power is switched OFF.
Once the power is off, your first step is to remove the cover plate from the receptacle. Apply a thin bead of caulking to the back of the gasket, then stick or embed the gasket on the wall over the receptacle or switch. Make sure that the caulk seals the flanges at the top and bottom of the receptacle, then wipe away any excess caulking with a paper towel and re-install the cover plate. Make sure you save the punch-outs from the gaskets, because you’re going to use them later on.
For rectangular shaped switches and receptacles, you’ll need to use a switch gasket and cut it to fit using a utility knife. For multiple or over-sized switches, you’ll need to overlay the gaskets, cut off the excess with your utility knife and seal the join with caulk to make it airtight.
Remember the punch-outs from your energy saving receptacle gaskets? Use these as plug gaskets to cover the ground pink holes in the receptacles by installing them on the prongs of the childproofing safety inserts. They can also be installed directly onto the prongs of any two-pin plugs that are always plugged in.
Once you have your gaskets caulked into place and your punch-outs installed, the last step is to turn the power back on.
This simple, quick, low -cost comfort improvement project can help make your home cozier and safer. It can also help you save money on your energy bills and wool socks! 
(Post taken from the Cozy Home Cornerby the Zerodraft House Doctor)
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A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety – US Fire Administration
Each year fires occuring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damages. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
PREVENTING CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES –
Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a living tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
Selecting a Tree for the Holiday – Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut to long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
Caring For Your Tree – Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick up service.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Maintain Your Holiday Lights – Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before puttng them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets – Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.
DO NOT LEAVE HOLIDAY LIGHTS UNATTENDED
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
USE ONLY NONFLAMMABLE DECORATIONS
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
NEVER PUT WRAPPING PAPER IN A FIREPLACE
It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.
ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure that it is flame retardant.
CANDLE CARE
AVOID USING LIT CANDLES
If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
NEVER PUT LIT CANDLES ON A TREE
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.
For more information contact:
The U.S. Fire Administration
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
or
Visit the USFA Website: www.usfa.fema.gov
Homeland Security
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Milltown 4th of July Parade
Friendly Electric is a proud supporter of the Milltown 4th of July Parade. It was at this 2008 parade that Friendly Electric first unveiled it’s new sales vehicle. Besides being super cute, it’s also extremely practical. The fuel efficient vehicle gets approximately 35 miles per gallon. We prefer to use this vehicle whenever possible, it’s better for our pockets and it’s better for the environment. It’s also just plain fun to drive, because every time we drive it, people laugh and smile. You see, the car has a wind up key on the rear hatch that actually spins, and reads, “Don’t Wind Up With The Wrong Contractor!” Perhaps you’ve seen us in your neighborhood. Talk about Going Green!
Also make sure to visit our Green Tips section on our website
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Fluorescent Bulbs
Did you know that if every US household replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent bulb, we would save enough energy to light about three million homes for a year and save more than $650 million in annual energy costs? Over its lifetime, each bulb you replace will save you about $40 in electric bills and $5-$10 in replacement costs!
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