Summertime is a wonderful time for friends and family. Whether in the back yard around the swimming pool for a barbecue or at the lake cottage or seashore chalet safety is always a watchword during the summer time – especially involving any water and electricity. Water, moisture and electrical power just do not mix and indeed are a recipe for disaster.

What can you do to prevent electrical problems around water and increase the safety of your family when it comes to summer time electrical injuries and accidents?

First of all always keep safety in mind. Electrical power is both a wonderful servant but yet a terrible master. In a swoop mix electrical power from an ordinary ac electrical plug and water - and it a recipe for potential tragedy and heartache. The worst part if that by following simple rules of safety all of these tragedies are usually easily prevented.

First of all remember all it takes for an electrocution accident to occur is not much. It's not only the swimming pool water that can be of danger but simply any electrical conductive pool of moisture. This can mean wet skins, or wet surfaces should cry out danger signs and signals or concern. It can be a pool of water on a section of patio stone deck, it can be wet grass that is being mowed by an electric power mower or it can be the obvious such as a wet surface on a swimming pool deck. The results can all be tragic and yet easily preventable.

What are the basic rules of summertime electrical safety when it comes to being around moisture or water? Obviously- first of all never touché electrical cords, switches or appliances when you are standing in water or have wet hands. Next, just as obvious, if you are using elect5rical extension cords or electrical appliances and any of the extension cords or appliances no matter how small and of low wattage usage fall into the water never try to retrieve them out of water until you have turned off the power at the main switch box. It can be as small an item as electrical rotisserie motor. It does not matter – turn off the power at the main switch box no matter what. It is not worth the risk and small saving of time not to be thorough and not play it safe just for a second's convenience.

If you are using electrical devices, even those specifically meant to be used around water and moisture – such as wet/dry vacs or steam carpet cleaners always read and follow the manufacture's instructions. The same goes for pressure washers that you might use on a cottage or chalet wooden deck. If not sure, most manufactures now have toll free numbers for tech support. Call ahead of your trip – before your vacation or weekend trip when the electrical appliance manufacture tech support line is open and you have ready access to a phone at home or during the working hours while in the city.

Lastly if you do chose use electrical devices outdoors – then the best and wisest choice always is to source and find specifically designed waterproof electrical devices that are specifically designed to be used outdoors. Remember that in most cases the same device , once installed will not be used in the summer but will also have to overwinter a harsh winter climate – perhaps even as harsh as a cold Canadian winter.

The electrical device will have to overwinter in that cold climate where seals or plastic insulation may deteriorate or crack. It's always a worst case scenario when you are playing with electrical power and safety. Its false economy to do any other way. Play it safe to the limit.

In the end it can be said that you can never be too safe when it comes to electrical safety during the summer safe. Play it safe and you can stay out of hot water this summer or coming fall autumn time.