One of the most respected non-profit organizations worldwide, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace. They have put together a very helpful guide that guides homeowners regarding electrical safety in their outdoor spaces. The following summarizes the information ESFI provides. Call a licensed electrician and schedule a safety audit of your entire home to get the best results. 

Acquiring a home is perhaps the largest and most impactful purchase that anyone will make during a lifetime. Thus, it is crucial that a buyer get a comprehensive inspection of the home to find out if there are any issues that may prove expensive to fix in the future. One aspect of the process is having a licensed electrician perform an electrical inspection. This examination will discover most existing electrical problems, and the electrical contractor will make a recommendation regarding repairs and upgrades as needed afterwards. 

According to U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) statistics, there are more than 25,000 electrical fires in the U.S. annually, and they cause injury or death to a minimum of 1,300 people every year. In fact, home electrical fires cause more property losses than other types of fires. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent them. 

Integrating the electrical and lighting systems of your home will allow for automating, controlling, and monitoring every area’s lighting system. A good design will increase convenience, energy efficiency, safety, and security, as well as improve the aesthetics and ambience of your residence. Consult with an experienced and licensed electrician for the installation of a universal lighting control system to get the best results.

Various Controls

The controls that allow customized integration of lighting fixtures are switches, motors, dimmers, and relays. Multiple obtrusive light switches can be replaced by one efficient and sophisticated keypad. Floor and table lamps can also be controlled by being plugged into an electrical outlet that is integrated with other lighting fixtures intended for a specific area.

The capability of controlling every lighting source, electric or solar, is available through several solutions. Discrete control and dimmers are for electric light, while motorized shades and window coverings are for solar light. The latter are especially helpful for inaccessible windows and shades, which can be raised or lowered with a keypad by people with physical limitations.

When every light source is controllable, brightness and darkness levels for every area can be accomplished easily and automatically. As a result, homes and offices have improved climate control, reducing energy consumption and costs.

Programmable Control

A single button can control multiple lights preprogrammed at the levels desired for a specific area. Motorized shades and windows can also be programmed for a particular space.

For exteriors, lighting can be automatically automated with sensors for sidewalks and entryways when darkness falls to promote safety and security. Programmed night lighting can also accentuate architectural features, landscaping, and statues.

Programming can also be done for the periods of time when residents are home or away to discourage intruders. Activation can be controlled via a smart phone, tablet, or other remote control device.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:

• Standby Generator Installation


• Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)


• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations


• Structured Cabling


• Circuit Breaker Replacement

Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.