Death and injury are not imagined when it comes to in-home accidents each year. Estimates show that each year $1.6 billion in residential electrical fires take their toll each year. More than 500 deaths are attributed to residential electrical fires as well as 6,000 injuries annually. More than 140,000 home fires nationally are blamed on faulty electrical or other electrical failures.

The extent of injuries spreads to the workplace too with nearly 4,000 workplace injuries due to electrical hazards.

Many of these accidents and losses could be prevented if homeowners and business owners would use professional installers to make repairs or to check electrical services on a routine basis, says Gary Stone, President of Allstar Electrical Services in Denver, CO with services also in Colorado Springs, CO.

Outdate wiring, underground wires, outlets that may have been installed by a prior homeowner all can be blamed. But a professional, licensed electrician knows what dangers to look for when tackling a repair or remodeling project, explains Stone. Besides being equipped with voltage detectors, trained electricians know what problem areas to research prior to beginning any work on an electrical service call.

No matter how small the project you have planned for your home or business, trust it to a professional, licensed electrician. At Allstar Electrical Services, even apprentice electricians have the resource of a master electrician to answer any questions that may come up.

“Bottom line, knowing when to ask questions or thoroughly research power, service, outlets or fixtures before proceeding is the sign of a true professional,” cautions Stone.

To arrange for an inspection of your next project, contact Allstar Electrical Services at 303-399-7420.

Q: I’m thinking about doing a little remodeling myself. Is there a proper height to locate outlets and switches to conform to code?

A: There are requirements if your installation needs to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but other than that, locations are determined more by custom than by code. There may be local codes that specify heights for certain rooms like a kitchen or bathroom, so check with your local building department to be sure.

The main thing is to try to achieve consistency both within a room and throughout the building. It looks bad to have these things at different heights in the same room unless there’s an obvious reason for it.

Measure the distance from the floor or countertop to the center of your existing switches and outlets as a guide for placing others. By using the center as your measuring point, you won’t have to worry about whether the one you’re installing is the same size as the others.

Running power to outlets and switches is something that needs to be done by someone who understands wiring pretty well, so don’t undertake this sort of project unless you do. It’s safer and easier to have a licensed electrician do it unless you’re experienced at it.

Q: Winter is coming and I’d like to have my outdoor lighting come on as soon as it gets dark rather than wait until I get home. What is the best way to do that?

A: That depends on how the system is wired. If it’s powered by a standard electrical plug-in outlet inside your home or a dry area such as a garage (not recommended for best safety and performance), you may be able to use a standard indoor light timer. Just be sure that the timer is rated for the load your system will put on it. The timer should have a wattage rating stamped on it somewhere. If the wattage of your outdoor lights exceeds the timer rating, don’t use it. If you don’t know, don’t use it.

If it turns on with a normal wall switch, a timer will have to be wired in like the one you may have on your sprinkler system. This may be beyond the skills of a typical DIYer.

You may also be able to use a light sensor switch that activates when the light level outdoors goes down in the evening and switches off in the morning.

A licensed electrician can inspect your system and recommend the best solution to you.

Q: When my hair dryer tripped a breaker I went to the electrical panel, but couldn’t find anything wrong. Is there someplace else I should look, or is something wrong with the outlet?

A: You probably have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) integrated into one of your wall outlets. This is a safety device that is now required for all outlets located in higher-risk areas like bathrooms and kitchens. It detects current leakage on that branch of the circuit and trips like a regular circuit breaker before any harm can be done. Look for an outlet that has a small button on it. It might not be on the outlet you were plugged in to, but should be near it. Next to the button you should see the word “Reset.” Once you have disconnected the device that caused the problem, push the reset button to restore service. If it trips again you may have a more serious problem and you should call a licensed electrician to find and fix the situation that’s causing the problem.

Q: I’m interested in saving electricity, but I’ve heard that compact fluorescent bulbs have mercury and other pollutants in them. Is that true and if it is, are there other bulbs I can use that do less damage to the environment?

A: Compact fluorescent (CF) lamps use considerably less energy than incandescent bulbs, but they do contain a small amount of mercury (about 5 mg) and environmentally-aware consumers should consider recycling them to keep it out of landfills where it might enter the groundwater.

An alternative you might consider is using low-energy LED lighting. It’s more expensive initially than CF, but the cost is coming down and the energy savings are considerable. They use half the electricity of standard bulbs of similar brightness, last over 20,000 hours, are cool to the touch and come in many standard sizes and shapes so they can be used in your existing fixtures. Allstar Electric is proud to be among the first companies to specify LED lighting for its residential and commercial projects.

If you choose to use CF lamps, check with your local energy company or search the Internet for recycling sources.

Q: We just recently moved to an older home that has some outlets and switches outdoors. Should I be concerned about “winterizing” them?

A: If they are approved devices for outdoor use and are in good repair, they should be fine for the winter without any special attention. Some older homes and remodels may not have been fitted with devices that meet code, though. There’s really not much you can do to weatherproof them short of replacing them with approved devices. If you suspect your outdoor switches or outlets are non-conforming or look damaged, you should have a licensed electrician inspect them and upgrade them if needed.

Q: Our child is about to take her first steps. As exciting as the prospect is, I also worry about her safety. Is there anything I can do to make our home’s electrical system safer for her?

A: Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Yes, there are several things you can do to make sure your child’s first steps don’t lead to danger when it comes to electricity.

A simple place to start is by childproofing your home’s electrical outlets. You can buy plastic outlet caps anywhere home hardware or accessories are sold and they’re a very effective way to insure that your toddler doesn’t get shocked by sticking something where it doesn’t belong.

Electrical cords not only present a tripping danger (remember, the little tyke can walk in places you wouldn’t consider), but they can also be tempting things to pull on, either to help get back up from a fall or just out of pure curiosity. Since there’s usually something at the other end of the cord you don’t want crashing down on junior’s noggin, be sure the power cords to all your lights, appliances and other devices are routed safely away from harm’s way.

There are literally dozens of potential electrical hazards to children in the home (adults, too!). A good place to get more information is the website for the Electrical Safety Foundation International at www.esfi.org. They even have a clever home safety quiz you can take.

Q: I’d like to use the Internet to shop for lighting fixtures. Is there anything I need to be careful of?

A: Buying your lighting fixtures online can be risky. Troubles can range from simple annoyances to potentially dangerous situations that can result in fires…or worse.

Safety is always the first concern when buying fixtures from sources you don’t know. Foreign countries have different electrical standards than the US, and while many are UL-certified or have passed similar safety tests, that doesn’t necessarily insure that quality control standards are scrupulously enforced. And even if they are, you need to be sure that the voltage and grounding specifications are compatible with US standards.

Beyond that, be sure that you understand the payment, shipping and return policies of your online source. We’ve had several customers complain that they were charged the same day they ordered but didn’t receive the merchandise until several weeks later. This may be an innocent case of slow service, but it can also be a tactic used by some merchants to get the use of your money for free.

Be sure, too, that if the merchandise arrives damaged or if it isn’t the color or finish you expected, you can return it for a full refund. Some companies charge restocking fees, and you may have to pay for the shipping yourself. They may not even offer cash refunds, limiting you to “store credit” that is basically useless if you don’t want to buy something else from them.

Q: If there are compatibility and safety concerns, how do I make sure that I’m getting something that will work the way it should?

A: The best way is to only deal with US-based distributors that are subject to US laws and regulations. It gives you some recourse if the deal goes sour, but doesn’t necessarily prevent it from happening. And unless the distributor opens and checks every item for defects, the only way you’ll know you have a problem is when you’ve already paid for and installed it. That could be risky, according to Allstar president Gary Stone. “Given the poor records of some of our foreign ‘trading partners’ I’d be very leery of how carefully they address safety concerns in manufacturing electrical fixtures. It’s not worth the risk to my home and family for the sake of saving a couple of bucks.”

Q: Is there a way that I can get the benefits of online shopping and still be sure I get products that will be what I want?

A: There sure is. Allstar Electrical Services offers a simple solution. They have partnerships with local lighting fixture companies that allow customers to shop a huge variety of products on their web sites and, once they have narrowed down their choices, get a hands-on evaluation at local stores. That way they can be assured that the colors are right, the metallic surfaces are what they want, and, by engaging Allstar’s award-winning installation services, the fixtures will actually work when they’re installed. And at prices that are comparable to other online buying sources.

Q: How do I take advantage of this service from Allstar?

A: “We want to make the process as easy as we can for our customers,” Stone says. “All they have to do is contact us and explain their project and we’ll direct them to one of our showroom partners that’s close to them. The staff at the stores will help them select the right fixture for their needs, passing our contractor’s discount through to them.” Then it’s a simple matter of scheduling the installation at a time that’s convenient for the customer.

Allstar offers extensive residential electrical remodeling services that can transform your home into a showplace while keeping costs under control and guarding you against costly and dangerous mistakes. It may not be quite as fast as clicking a mouse, but it’s a whole lot safer and can save a lot of time, money and aggravation in the long run.

Allstar Showroom Partners

Lamps Plus
1547 S. Colo. Blvd., Denver and 7375 W 88th Ave., Westminster
www.lampsplus.com

Foothills Lighting
1383 S. Santa Fe Dr., Denver
www.foothillslighting.com

Q. I’ve heard there are environmentally superior fixtures I can use in my home remodel. In fact, I’ve seen some fixtures online that look attractive. I’m just worried though because what if they don’t look right when they are delivered.

A. Ask any internet devotee if they’ve made a purchase online that they later regretted and chances are you’ll hear a resounding YES. The bigger question has to do with online store’s policies regarding returns or exchanges.

We have been made aware of some online retailers who only allow exchange for “in-store” credit. If the light fixture isn’t what you want, chances are you will want your credit card to be credited so that you can purchase another fixture elsewhere.

That’s not to say that all online lighting retailers are a bad option. If you live in a major metropolitan area like Denver, there are many reputable lighting stores to chose from. Some of them sell their product online too. Some retailers are exceptional when it comes to handling your product complaints, even paying for the shipping to return the unsatisfactory item to them without charge to you.

Bottom line: be sure you read the online retailers’ exchange policies before giving them access to your credit card.

The important thing is for you to know that the lighting fixture(s) you are selecting to be installed in your home or office will properly light the area you are intending to fix by installing better, improved lighting. A visit to a lighting store can ensure that the light you are considering is appropriate. Often lighting stores have the lights on display and electrified so that you can actually see it turned on.

Q. I am in a rush to select a fixture and don’t have time to waste. What should I do?

A. Rethink your plan. Often even local stores will need to special order lighting. That can take as long as three weeks or more. Even if a store has a light on display, that doesn’t mean that they have as many of the lights as you need on their warehouse shelf. The lighting of your choice might be on backorder, which delays your installation even longer.

We seriously recommend that you don’t rush to have a fixture installed that will need to be changed out any time soon. Our service fees at Allstar Electrical Services are competitive and affordable, but no one wants to spend extra installing and reinstalling light fixtures.

The right fixture installed correctly should be an investment that lasts 5 to 10 years before you even consider changing the “look” of your lighting again.

Q. I heard that some electrical repair services have their own lighting resources. Does Allstar Electrical Services?

A. Allstar Electrical Services has relationships with quality lighting stores that allows us to access lighting for clients at a discount IF we are the electrician installing the lighting fixture for that customer. Call us for a free estimate and to schedule repairs. Our number is 303-399-7420.

Q. I live in Colorado Springs and need electrical repair at my home, but I don’t know who to call?

A. Allstar Electrical Service has expanded its service area to include El Paso County, the county seat of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

El Paso County lies encompasses more than 2,158 square miles, slightly more than twice the area of the state of Rhode Island excluding Narragansett Bay. That’s a large service area in addition to already serving the Front Range from Ft. Collins south. But Allstar Electrical Services owner Gary Stone says he decided to provide service to Colorado Springs when would-be customers called to say they couldn’t get good service from any of the electrical contractors already serving the area.

Colorado Sprngs has a population of 575,851 living in 216,015 households. Almost half of the county’s residents are military personnel with an estimated civilian labor force of 264,000.

Q. Will I pay more for Allstar Electrical Services to do the repairs at my home or business?

A. Since opening Allstar Electrical Services in the late 1990’s, Stone has insisted that his team of certified, licensed and master electricians and apprentices respect homeowners’ and business owners’ schedules by keeping on-time for service appointments. While that might seem to indicate Allstar’s services are more expensive because they are more thorough, right down to keeping appointments, the fact is that it saves the customer money. The customer doesn’t have to wait an entire day or half day for the electrician to show up at the job site. That way the customer can do what he or she would otherwise be doing and plan to meet the electrician at a specific time versus waiting.

Also, Allstar’s electricians travel in fully-equipped vans, vans that are marked with Allstar’s logo, and that too saves money. If the repair part necessary to make your repair is a routine part, chances are that the Allstar electrician who shows up at your job site will have the parts needed with him already. That too saves money and time, getting the job done in one service call, not two, and also saving time having to source common electrical parts that a reliable repair service like Allstar knows to carry on the van proactively.