Home
Get a step up on fall
Gutter cleaning is one of the most dangerous household tasks. Here’s how to stay safe.

After the summer storm season we had, chances are there’s some debris sitting in your gutters. Before you head up to dig it all out, make sure you’re following these commonsense safety tips to stay out of the emergency room this fall. Because the only kinds of excitement we want this season is discovering giant zucchini in the garden or maybe – if we’re feeling really adventurous – trying out a new apple crisp recipe.

 

Gear up

There could be more than leaves in your gutters. Mold, bacteria, sharp objects and even wasps could be in there as well. Make sure to wear heavy gloves and safety goggles. And this is no time for flip-flops – make sure to wear shoes with rubber soles for traction to avoid slips and falls while climbing your ladder.

 

Ladder safety

Invite a friend over to spot you (we find that bribing our friends with apple crisp or zucchini cake works well). If using a step ladder, never step on the top two rungs. If using an extension ladder, always extend the ladder three rungs beyond the roof edge and secure the ladder from tipping with rope at the top of the base. Use the rule of threes: always keep both your feet and one hand planted on the ladder to avoid any accidents.

Going up and down the ladder to move it frequently might seem like a pain, but it’s worth it. Most accidents happen when trying to overreach, so always move the ladder to a new spot instead of reaching further down your gutters.

Be aware

Recent strong summer storms may have damaged your home’s wiring and nearby power lines. Read up on our electric safety tips and resources before you head out to check your home’s electrical cable where it connects to the roof before gutter cleaning, and never touch a broken or damaged wire on your own. If the roof is wet, stay off it. Water and metals are both conductors of electricity.

When you’re done, make sure to thank your friend and head inside for a much-deserved cup of jo and some warm apple crisp with whipped cream. You'll want to read our "Embrace fall with Grandma's recipes" blog for the recipe!

Get informed

Our blogs feature helpful energy efficiency tips, safety topics and appliance repair advice.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest tips!

Black Hills Energy Blog

cooking
Everything you need for a cozy night in
      Home is more than the place you live. It’s that warm feeling when you smell banana bread baking in the oven. It’s snuggling up for just one more bedtime book after the nightly bath routine. It’s the peace of knowing that no matter what, there’s someone there to help. In a…
summer electric safety
Keep summer fun – and safe – with our top three electric safety tips
May is National Electric Safety Month and sunny days are ahead of us. And we could all use a little sunshine in our lives right now. As you venture out for your favorite summer projects and activities, make sure to stay safe with these electric safety tips. 1. Look up Always look up before…
planting
Plant a tree to boost your mood
Current events have us all experiencing more anxiety than usual. But if you can get out to enjoy the fresh air of your yard, you have a mood booster right at your fingertips: nature. There’s something about digging in the cool dirt on a warm spring day that can lift your spirit. In the book “The…
wfh
All your work-from-home energy efficiency questions answered
“Do I need to unplug my laptop at night?” All your work-from-home energy efficiency questions answered If your dining room table looks like this, chances are you’ve been working from home. And that means that you likely have more electronics around than usual. Here’s your guide to making sure you…
data center
It's International Data Center Day
Did you know? More information has been shared online in the past 2 years than in all of human history! And now, with many professionals and students working from home, data centers are more critical than ever. You can click here to see how we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-…
Spring cleaning
Spring clean like a pro (including how to effectively kill those flu germs)
We've almost made it to spring! Sure, there might still be snow in the forecast, but the evenings are getting longer and the kids have started to count down to the last day of school. One of our favorite traditions is spring cleaning. Filling the house with fresh air and purging it of the winter…
changing furnace filter
Countdown to Spring with these tips to keep you – and your furnace - happy
February. The longest short month of the year. It’s only 29 days, but it’s hard not to look longingly at next month’s promise of the first day of Spring and longer sun-lit evenings. The seasonal limbo has us wearing sweaters but dreaming of swimming pools. Your furnace is in limbo too. It’s been…
Be cyber safe
Six things to watch for to stay cyber safe
A lot of life happens online. Shopping. Banking. Socializing. Discovering time-intensive crafts to feel guilty for not doing with your kids because who has time to clean up a kitchen covered in Elmer’s glue and food coloring anyway? Whether you’re conducting serious business or simply trying to…
nest thermostat
Use this one simple tool to save energy throughout the winter
When the temperature outside drops, the temperature inside tends to rise. But that doesn’t mean utility bills need to rise, too. A programmable thermostat is a simple tool that homeowners can use throughout the winter to help save energy and money in their homes. Programmable thermostats are…
Energy efficiency
Make your new energy-saving habits stick
We’ve all needed to create a new normal this year, and that means our habits and New Year’s resolutions may look a little different as we eagerly welcome 2021. Habits can be tricky things. Sometimes they’re easy to establish and stick to. Other times, it seems like no matter how hard you try, they…
black hills energy family
How to be your home’s Secret Santa
Put a new twist on this holiday tradition (and save money and energy while you’re at it). I love a good office Secret Santa. Your coworkers go from friendly team members to covert agents, sneaking around with gift bags of coffee, gourmet chocolate, bath bombs and sports memorabilia. Megan from…
holiday lights
Here’s how Clark Griswold could have cut costs on Christmas decorating
When it came to lighting up his home for the holidays, Clark Griswold stopped it nothing to make sure his place was the brightest on the block. Griswold, who was the star of the 1989 holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, was determined to have a “fun, old-fashioned, family…

For us, safety isn’t numbers

It’s not statistics. It isn’t dollar signs, and it’s not about campaigns. Safety is people. We've set a goal to be the safest energy company in the country. But we didn’t set that goal so we could check a box on a to-do list or show PowerPoint slides with charts featuring lots of down arrows. We did it so that everyone - including you - can go home safely. Every day.

Stay safe