West Florida Electric

1.800.342.7400
1.855.My.WFECA
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Current Light Flashes
Facebook Twitter YouTube
Email
Menu
  • Your Bill
    • Managing your account has never been easier!
    • Pay Your Bill Online
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Ways To Pay Your Bill
    • Ways to Reduce Your Bill
    • View Your Account
    • Modify Your Account
    • Levelize Your Bill
    • EZ Pay Power (Prepaid)
    • mobile apps
  • Your Electric Service
    • Managing your account has never been easier!
    • Apply for Service
    • Disconnect Your Service
    • Transfer Your Service
    • Mobile Apps
    • Text Power
    • Service Requirements
    • View Current Outages
    • Dual Service Requirements
    • Line Extension
    • Tree Trimming/Right-of-Way
    • mobile apps
  • Your Cooperative
    • Mobile Apps
    • Products and Services
    • Hurricane Preparedness
    • Medically Essential Service
    • GenerLink™ Transfer Switch
    • Current Light Flashes
    • Capital Credits
    • Electrical Safety
    • Youth Tour Competition
    • West Florida Electric Scholarship
    • Empower Energy Education Workshop
    • The Cooperative Difference
    • Economic Development
    • WFEC Member Survey
    • Solar Energy
    • Outdoor Lighting
    • Co-ops Vote
    • Community Involvement
    • mobile apps
  • Save Energy, Save Money
    • Relief Agencies Assisting with Bill Payments
    • Energy Audits
    • Manufactured Home Program
    • Heat Pump Rebates
    • Energy Efficiency Loan Program
    • ChooseEV Electric Vehicle Resources
    • Customized Home Energy Report
    • DIY Energy Savings Tools
    • Together We Save
    • mobile apps
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Board of Trustees
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Touchstone Energy
    • Executive Staff
    • History
    • Company Overview
    • Statement of Nondiscrimination
    • Bonifay District Office
    • Graceville District Office
    • Sneads District Office
    • Electric Rates
    • Fees
    • WFEC Bylaws
    • mobile apps
  • Outage Map
    • mobile apps
  • Manage My Account

    pay-your-bill-btn

Your Cooperative

  • Mobile Apps
  • Products and Services
  • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Medically Essential Service
  • GenerLink™ Transfer Switch
  • Current Light Flashes
    • Submit a CLF Ad
    • CLF Advertising Rates
  • Capital Credits
  • Electrical Safety
  • Youth Tour Competition
  • West Florida Electric Scholarship
  • Empower Energy Education Workshop
  • The Cooperative Difference
  • Economic Development
  • WFEC Member Survey
  • Solar Energy
  • Outdoor Lighting
  • Co-ops Vote
  • Community Involvement
Home / Your Cooperative / Current Light Flashes

Current Light Flashes

Share on Facebook Email to someone

Practice Safety When DIY-ing

Share on Facebook Email to someone

‹ Back to Light Flashes

Many of us find ourselves spending more time at home these days, and because we have extra time on our hands, we are focusing on projects we can do ourselves. This includes home improvement projects and finding new, creative ways to enhance our living spaces or simple do-it-yourself projects (DIY).

Tackling these DIY projects for the home can be fun and cost-effective, so why not roll up those sleeves and get started? Whether you’re painting the front door with a fresh hue or finally upgrading those patio lights, successfully completing a DIY home project is incredibly satisfying. But many of these projects do not come without risks. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as you get to work. 

Select a designated work area. The amount of space you’ll need will depend on the size and scope of your project, but make sure you have adequate lighting and ventilation (if necessary). Required tools and equipment should be located in your workspace and organized for easy access.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is your friend. We know you’re not a pro but investing a few bucks in PPE is essential for most home projects. Stock up on safety goggles, dust masks, ear plugs (or noise reduction ear protectors), gloves and any other kind of protection you’ll need for your project. Remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. So ditch the sandals!

Work slowly and clean up as you go. When you rush through a DIY project, you’ll likely end up with less desirable results than you intended, or worse, you could make a costly or dangerous mistake. Take your time and remember that you are in control of the project. Cleaning as you go ensures a safer workspace. Pick up any scrap materials, tools that aren’t in use and any tripping hazards.

Be cautious with power tools. Annually, 8 percent of electrocutions in the U.S. are attributed to the improper use of power tools. Working with electricity requires thorough planning and extreme care – cutting corners can be a costly mistake. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers the following safety tips:

1. Make an effort to learn about your home's electrical system so you can safely navigate and maintain it.

2. Never attempt a project that is beyond your skill level. Knowing when to call a professional may help prevent fires, injuries and fatalities.

3. When working on your next DIY project, protect yourself from electric shock by turning off power at the main fuse box.

4. Unplug any appliance or electronic before working on it.

5. Test wires with a volt meter before you touch them to confirm that power has been turned off.

6. Never touch plumbing or gas pipes when doing a DIY electrical project. Never use power tools near live electrical wires or water pipes.

7. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) with every power tool to protect against electrical shock.

8. Use extreme caution when cutting or drilling into walls where electrical wires or water pipes could be accidentally touched or penetrated.

9. If a power tool trips a safety device while in use, take the tool to a manufacturer-authorized repair center for service.

10. Do not use power tools without the proper guards.

11. When using a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or a pressure washer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid electrical shock.

Remember, you should only tackle DIY home projects within your skill and comfort level. For projects that require extensive electrical work, we strongly recommend you hire a licensed, qualified electrician for assistance.

To learn more about electrical safety, visit our website at www.westflorida.coop.

  • Energy Efficiency Tip

    Energy Efficiency TipUse shade trees in landscaping design to block the sun & reduce cooling costs. Deciduous trees shed leaves in winter to let heat in.

Easy Site Navigation

Your Bill

  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • Understanding Your Bill
  • Ways To Pay Your Bill
  • Ways to Reduce Your Bill
  • View Your Account
  • Modify Your Account
  • Levelize Your Bill
  • EZ Pay Power (Prepaid)

Your Electric Service

  • Apply for Service
  • Disconnect Your Service
  • Transfer Your Service
  • Mobile Apps
  • Text Power
  • Service Requirements
  • View Current Outages
  • Dual Service Requirements
  • Line Extension
  • Tree Trimming/Right-of-Way

Your Cooperative

  • Mobile Apps
  • Products and Services
  • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Medically Essential Service
  • GenerLink™ Transfer Switch
  • Current Light Flashes
  • Capital Credits
  • Electrical Safety
  • Youth Tour Competition
  • West Florida Electric Scholarship
  • Empower Energy Education Workshop
  • The Cooperative Difference
  • Economic Development
  • WFEC Member Survey
  • Solar Energy
  • Outdoor Lighting
  • Co-ops Vote
  • Community Involvement

Save Energy, Save Money

  • Relief Agencies Assisting with Bill Payments
  • Energy Audits
  • Manufactured Home Program
  • Heat Pump Rebates
  • Energy Efficiency Loan Program
  • ChooseEV Electric Vehicle Resources
  • Customized Home Energy Report
  • DIY Energy Savings Tools
  • Together We Save

About Us

  • Careers
  • Board of Trustees
  • Board Meeting Minutes
  • Touchstone Energy
  • Executive Staff
  • History
  • Company Overview
  • Statement of Nondiscrimination
  • Bonifay District Office
  • Graceville District Office
  • Sneads District Office
  • Electric Rates
  • Fees
  • WFEC Bylaws

Outage Map

2023 West Florida Electric Cooperative, Inc. © All rights reserved.
1.800.342.7400www.westflorida.coop

Test