Electrical Safety While Working From Home

On January 26, 2021   /   Tech Articles, Uncategorized  

Do you have a home office or work from home?

A lot of us have been working from home this past year during the pandemic. Have you given any thought to electrical safety in your home workspace (wherever that may be in your home)?

Follow these electrical safety tips to keep you and your home safe from electrical hazards.

  • Avoid overloading outlets
  • Unplug appliances when not in use to save energy and minimize the risk of shock or fire
  • Regularly inspect electrical cords and extension cords for damage
  • Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis
  • Never plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip
  • Never run cords under rugs/carpets, doors, or windows
  • Plugin smartly. Make sure cords do not become tripping hazards
  • Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least three feet away from space heaters and other heat sources
  • Make sure you use proper wattage for lamps/lighting
  • Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Test them monthly, change batteries yearly, and replace the unit every 10 years

Wherever you work, it’s always important to be safe. Check out this infographic that outlines more about home workspace electrical safety.

MORE HOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS :
  • Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
  • Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old and damaged appliance cords immediately.
  • Use electrical extension cords wisely and don’t overload them.
  • Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.
  • Don’t allow children to play with or around electrical appliances, such as space heaters, irons, and hair dryers.
  • Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least 3 feet from all heaters.
  • If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
  • Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch, as well as lights that flicker. Use safety closures to childproof electrical outlets.
  • Check your electrical tools regularly for signs of wear. If the cords are frayed or cracked, replace them. Replace any tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.
  • If you are experiencing and issues or plan on buying or building a new home hire a certified InterNACHI inspector or licensed electrician. InterNACHI inspectors must pass rigorous safety training and are knowledgeable in the ways to reduce the likelihood of electrocution.
Information courtesy of The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), is the premier non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace. Click here to learn more about electrical safety at their website.
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January is Radon Awareness Month

On January 12, 2021   /   Uncategorized  

January is Radon Awareness Month.

Areas of New Mexico have significant amounts of radon. SkyTech Of New Mexico would like to spread the word about how important the environment is when it comes to your health. We encourage you to learn more about the potential health effects of radon exposure and how to check your home for this potentially dangerous gas. Since it originated in 1970, Earth Day has served as a platform for education and advocacy efforts in support of a better world, cleaner air, and fresh water. Keeping with the spirit of the observance, we to learn more about the potential dangers of radon exposure and the various ways environmental factors play a role in one’s health.
SkyTech of New Mexico is IAC2 certified. We are experienced and qualified to administer radon testing, indoor air quality testing, and environmental testing. We test all types of commercial and residential properties. Not just properties that are being sold or purchased. Properties that are currently occupied (and have been for a significant amount f time) can still have radon issues. Radon testing is a stand-alone service. Contact us today if you have questions or to schedule a consultation or testing.

The Danger of Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. You can’t see or smell radon. Testing is the only way to know your level of exposure. Radon can have a big impact on indoor air quality. Radon gas in homes is a health risk. Santa Fe County, like Bernalillo and many others, show up on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s radon maps as a Zone 1 county. That means homes can have a predicted indoor radon screening level above 4 picocuries per liter, the EPA’s recommended safe limit.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas resulting from the radioactive decay of uranium, which exists in most soils. Radon enters homes and buildings from the soil under the slab, from the crawlspace, basement, etc. Radon can also be found in some water supplies entering the home or building. Because radon is radioactive, it’s breakdown to other elements releases alpha, beta, and gamma radiations which can be physically damaging. When radon, and especially these decay elements, are inhaled, the lungs can be seriously damaged by this radiation.  Studies have determined that as a result of this damage, radon is the overall second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is also believed to be the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Nearly 1 out of 15 homes in the US is estimated to have elevated radon levels. In New Mexico, the north-central part of the state including Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties are considered high-risk areas. Up to 30% of homes tested in Albuquerque and 40% in Santa Fe have shown radon levels that exceed the EPA recommended norms.

All houses can have radon; even those in areas of low radon potential can have elevated radon levels. The probability of finding radon in your home is less in low radon potential areas; however, radon levels can differ dramatically from one home to the next. The only way to know if you have radon is to test your home.

Individuals are exposed to elevated radon primarily in indoor environments, homes, offices, schools, etc. Any home or building, old or new, can have a radon problem. The only way to determine if a home or building has elevated indoor radon is to test.

How does radon enter your house? Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than the pressure in the soil around and under your home. Because the pressure is lower inside, radon is sucked into your house through cracks or holes in the slab or foundation. If you have elevated radon levels you can fix your home. If you are building a house in an area of moderate or high radon potential we recommend using radon-resistant building techniques.

The radon in your water supply poses an inhalation risk and a small ingestion risk. Most of your risk from radon in water comes from radon released into the air when water is used for showering and other household purposes. Research has shown that your risk of lung cancer from breathing radon in the air is much larger than your risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with radon on it.

Radon in your home’s water is not usually a problem when its source is surface water. A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is groundwater, e.g., a private well or a public water supply system that uses groundwater. Some public water systems treat their water to reduce radon levels before it is delivered to your home. If you are concerned that radon may be entering your home through the water and your water comes from a public water supply, contact your water supplier.

SkyTech of New Mexico is IAC2 certified. We are experienced and qualified to administer radon testing, indoor air quality testing, and environmental testing. Contact us today if you have questions or to schedule a consultation or testing.

Home Buyers and Sellers can find a comprehensive resource guide put out by the EPA here.

 

New Mexico Radon Zone Map by county courtesy of EPA
The EPA recommends action be taken to reduce radon levels in homes with
concentrations higher than 4 pCi/L.
(pCi/L = Pico curies per liter)

Contact us Click on map to enlarge and download printable view.
Contact us today to schedule your radon or other indoor air quality evaluation.
Email: [email protected]
Schedule Online

 

 

 

Thank you to these resources for the information found in this article. You can find more information by clicking on these links:

New Mexico Radon Information

Radon Outreach – New Mexico Environment Department

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Make Sure Your Property Inspection Includes Infrared Technology

On January 11, 2021   /   Tech Articles, Uncategorized  

Make Sure Your Property Inspection Includes Infrared Technology

Infrared thermography inspection uses infrared imaging technology that allows SkyTech of New Mexico, Inc. inspectors to point out concerns about a structure that no one can show you using other inspection methods. This infrared imaging produces images of invisible heat energy emitted from objects and systems in the building and allows us to see it in a picture. As we inspect properties in New Mexico, we use infrared technology to find hidden problems that you may not even know about.  This is a non-invasive, non-destruction inspection. Infrared imaging is a limited scan and most home inspectors are not Certified Thermographers, but the inspectors at SkyTech, Inc. are all certified in this technology.

Using Infrared technology to help find hidden damage or moisture can assist you to know hidden damage before you sell your home or detect damage in the home you are purchasing. Home inspections are conducted for many reasons. It is important in both the buying or selling process to know the condition of the property to assure that the sale process goes as smoothly as possible. Of course, not all inspections are the same – some of these inspections are better than the others. SkyTech has almost 20 years of experience and we pride ourselves in providing the most professional, comprehensive, and accurate inspections in New Mexico.

SkyTech uses infrared technology to identify hidden damage or moisture in a property.  This is what every professional property inspection company has in its arsenal of tools and SkyTech of New Mexico is no exception. Infrared cameras detect thermal anomalies that help to determine different temperature levels and convert them into a film or video image. The images are used to interpret moisture, energy efficiency, insulation value, and more. Since infrared is outside of the scope of a normal home inspection, most home inspectors typically do not have the tools, training, or certification to conduct and properly interpret infrared survey images. Infrared technology is standard in a SkyTech of New Mexico residential or commercial property inspection.

Ordinary property inspections where IR devices are not used will determine problems that are visible. With an IR device, you will bring the property inspection to another level and find problems that are not visible to the naked eye. For instance, if you suspect that there is a problem with moisture in your property, but you cannot detect the source, you’ve got two options – to drill holes in the walls or to use an IR device. Obviously, the latter is preferred. As we all know, moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, and mold is associated with many illnesses. In addition, mold and mildew can damage the structure of your home. But, moisture issues are not the only thing that you can detect with IR technology. An IR inspection can help property owners detect conditions like unbalanced loads, open circuits, loose connections, overloads, defective equipment, active ceiling stains, collapsed glass, assessment of heated floors, tiles shower leaks, insulation problems, electrical problems, and more. Whether it is a pre-sale property inspection or a buyers inspection, infrared inspections can lower repair costs because you will know exactly where the problem is located.

If you are planning on using property services, make sure that the home inspector uses infrared technology. This is by far the best home inspection in terms of effectiveness and convenience.SkyTech of New Mexico Property Inspectors is offering high-quality IR services to every property owner in New Mexico. The best part is that this activity is part of the regular property inspection.

Contact SkyTech of New Mexico today to schedule an inspection.
Call us at 505-445-8300    Email: [email protected]   Or Schedule Online at skytechnm.com
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