The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

23 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A ugust 19,2021 insidehalton.com Real Estate Advertorial Three useful tips for your backyard renovation As the summer winds down, warmer fall weather is the perfect time to give your backyard a facelift to prepare it for the upcoming seasons. But while backyard renovations can be exciting, there may be potential hazards, so you need to be prepared. Here are three tips to help keep you safe and en- sure that everything goes smoothly when you get to work. 1. Locate all powerlines Before you begin, locate powerlines and make sure to stay at least three me- tres away from them at all times. There are chances of getting a shock by getting too close as electricity can jump or arc. This also includes the use of high-reach tools. If your construction requires digging, you must locate underground powerlines as well by contacting Ontario One Call. Private locates are required for privately owned underground powerlines such as supply to a pool or garage. 2. Always carry ladders sideways Do not carry your ladder vertically, as it may come in contact with a powerline. Some people believe that ladders made from materials such as wood are safe because they assume that they do not conduct electricity. But always proceed cautiously. Before you set up your ladder, check for overhead powerlines and place it at least three metres away. 3. Practise safe use of power tools When using extension cords, only use the ones rated for outdoor use. Never take a chance by using something in- tended for indoor use, even if it's for a short duration. The power capacity of your cord should be the same or greater than the tool you want to use. You should only plug your cord into an outlet with a ground fault circuit inter- rupter. GFCI outlets minimize the risk of shock injuries and fatal burns. If you don't have one already, you can buy a portable one online or at your local hard- ware store. Remember, if anything feels danger- ous, it probably is. Avoid taking risks and stay safe by checking out more tips at esasafe.com/safety. (NC) Matt Sullivan SaleS RepReSentative 905-580-9196 matt@sullivanrealestate.ca anita Sullivan BRokeR 905-466-4900 anita@sullivanrealestate.ca Thank you Oakville for nominating us in the following categories: Best Real Estate Broker Real Estate Team akville for nominating us in the following categories: SullivanRealEstate.ca