What would YOU do?

[KitchenWitch]

First the background information. The other day, I was cooking and apparently had too many things going on the same electrical circuit, so the breaker was tripped. No big deal, except since we have newly moved in here, I had NO FREAKING CLUE where the breaker box was. So I am running throughout the house and garage like a mad woman, looking for it, to no avail. I finally find it OUTSIDE attached to the side of the house. So I find the breaker that was tripped and get back to the business of dinner.

Here is where your input comes in. I was a little more than mildly freaked out that the box was on the outside of the house, and had no lock on it. As a woman, who is home alone most of the day, that concerns me from a personal security perspective.

Should I get a padlock for the breaker box? Or am I being paranoid? (My husband thinks I am being paranoid - we do NOT live in a gated community, and anyone who knows anything about the homes in this subdivision could essentially turn my power off....)

[progressoid]

1. On the outside? That's bizarre.

Aside from the security issues, I would think there would be safety issues. Who allowed that to happen?

I would get it moved asap.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Honestly, I think you might be a bit paranoid.........

I believe it's standard procedure to have the breaker boxes outside...

And I've never heard of someone's power being turned off......

That being said......if you're uncomfortable, there's no reason to not lock it!

:hug:

[graywarrior]

3. That's how they are in some houses in Florida

Place I live in is like that, but there is a lock on it. Get it locked.

[KitchenWitch]

6. Thank you

I was talking on the phone to my dad about it, and he even brought up the security issue. And he is not known for being that observant of that sort of thing.

[graywarrior]

15. Better to be safe. Plus, who wants to go outside in the middle of the night

if something happens. I think you can install some kind of plastic case around it that comes with a lock. ACE hardware or Lowe's should have something.

[MrCoffee]

4. if a lock makes you feel better, get the lock.

[Book Lover]

5. I would

and I would check on the condition of the box itself - to protect the contents from the elements.

[KitchenWitch]

7. This is SoCal

not many elements to worry about. :rofl:

[Book Lover]

12. Hey, after that below-freezing night we had Wednesday here in the SF Bay Area

I'd say let us Californians not get too complacent! :rofl:

[KitchenWitch]

13. True true!

:rofl:

The Santa Anas are a killer!

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. I was surprised

when I found breaker panels inside houses. :shrug:

I used to live next door to people who fought a lot. Sometimes she'd take off and trip all the breakers as she left, leaving him drunk and in the dark.

Yeah, put a lock on it.

[skygazer]

9. My breakers are outside

It doesn't concern me at all. However, since it does concern you, I'd put a lock on it or have it moved. Your comfort is what's important - not anyone else's opinion. :hug:

[nini]

10. get a lock

for vandalism and the worse scenarios.



Our's is on the outside too - I don't like it there either.

[KitchenWitch]

11. ...

Thanks...I am getting a lock for it.

I just noticed, our next door neighbors (whom we practically share a driveway with) have a lock on theirs.

[ThomCat]

14. I'd do more than lock it.

I'd have your vendor come out and move it inside. There is no reason why your breakers should be outside. Even if you lock them people can break a lock and cause all kinds of trouble.

Damn. What were they thinking?

[WhollyHeretic]

16. I have never seen that

and I used to do some electrical work when I had my home repair company. I would lock it and I'm not all that safety minded.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

17. We had the electrical contractor

hubby of an old family friend do some work on our house when we first moved in. He wasn't pleased with the existing breaker box and rigged up a whole new one on the outside. I suppose he could have done it inside if the place where the old one was had been adequate. We haven't put a lock on it.I see your point, though, about safety. Maybe a padlock with the key in a convenient place. I'll ask Mr 'pede what he thinks about ours.

[Jamastiene]

18. Go get a padlock and put it on the box yourself.

Don't say anything more about it and don't wait until your husband sees a need for one. He may not ever see it. He could be too trusting. No biggie. Your own peace of mind is important.

[MrSlayer]

19. Lock it, absolutely.

Not only is it far too easy for someone to kill your power, it's also a safety hazard.

[NMDemDist2]

20. hmmm my breaker boxes have always been on the outside of the house

in PHX it was on the front of the house even and it never occured to me to worry about it

but get a lock if it makes you feel better :shrug:

[AlCzervik]

21. lock it, i had 2 breakers stolen, dumb ass place for a breaker box indeed!

it should be in the garage imo, this outside thing is something i will never get used to living here.

[trof]

22. Major breakers outside. Kitchen breakers in garage.

It varies from state to state, I guess.
Most exterior boxes have a lockable latch.
If it makes you feel more secure, by all means put a padlock on it.
Just keep the key where you can readily find it.

[KitchenWitch]

23. I was actually thinking combo lock

That way, there are no keys to be searched for.

[trof]

24. Just. NEVER. Forget.

The combo.
;-)

[KitchenWitch]

25. ...

:rofl: