At Home with Lisa: Spring safety outdoors

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. The blustery weather means it’s prime kite flying season. In the Pacific Northwest, folks will be outside with their kids, running to get their kites in air and watching them fly in the wind.

But you should always make sure that you are far away from electrical lines whether you are flying kites, remote airplanes or even drones.

Avista has a checklist for outdoor electrical safety that I usually check up on when spring weather brings us outside. You should avoid power lines not only when you are out flying kites, but also when you are bringing out tall objects, like masts on sailboats, boats on trailers or tall ladders.

When you start working on outdoor projects, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you are using power tools and make sure they are approved for outdoor use. Plug electrical power tools into a ground fault circuit interrupter when you plug them into an outlet.

And if you see a power line on the ground, don’t assume it is okay to move. They may be energized.

Now that I know what to look out for this spring, I’m ready to get outside.

Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.