Urban Myth Of The Neighbors Bad Kid

 
Every time I see this and the owner of  the home is present, I ask them why they put a lock on the main breaker box. I bet you can guess the answer. “Well somebody told me the kids in the neighborhood will shut off the main breaker.” And can you guess how many people I have asked ever had this happen to them? It’s a big fat ZERO. Someone just told them that this could happen. At todays home inspection the seller gave me a perfect example of why you should NEVER, EVER lock your main breaker panel.

Here’s what happened. I asked the seller where the keys were. She told “I knew some day someone would ask me that question. I think they are in here somewhere.” After a minute or so she found the keys. When I went to unlock the lock it was rusted shut. Now the problem is, what if the home is on fire and you need to find the keys, get out of the home and shut off  power to the home?

If you have your main breaker locked because of the urban myth of the neighbors bad kid, make a decision on which is more important to you, the bad kid that may never mess with your breaker or your families safety.

photo by Diego Cupolo