It’s that time of year once again! Remaining safety conscious while you’re decorating is essential during this time of year. Let’s explore a few electrical safety tips to follow during the holidays.
Inspect All Your Decorations
We typically use holiday decorations only once a year, which leaves ample time for them to deteriorate or become damaged. Take the time to closely look at every electrical decoration before using it. Be on the lookout for broken or missing bulbs, damaged sockets or plugs, loose or bare wires, and any other type of damage. Also, look at the extension cords you’re using—if you’re using one outside, ensure it’s an outdoor cord.
Don’t Overload Electrical Outlets
Overloading an outlet is the number one cause of fires during the holidays. This mistake is one the most significant and dangerous to make when you’re decorating your house for the holidays. A great way to prevent fires is to use power strips with built-in circuit breakers for added security.
Be Careful with Candles
Candles are beautiful and cozy ways to bring in the scents of the holidays, but using battery-operated ones is safer, as an unattended candle could result in a fire. Or you could use a candle warmer to bring the smells of pine, evergreen, and apple spice into your home without the risk of fire.
Turn Off the Lights at Bedtime
Set up a rule that the last person to head to bed at night is responsible for turning off all the decorations. Lights left on could end in a fire in the middle of the night.
Protect Your Cords from Damage
Another electrical safety tip to follow during the holidays is to pay attention to where your cords will lie when you’ve finished hanging up all your decorations. Make sure they’re not pinched by furniture or at risk of being hit by the vacuum. If the cord is outdoors, make sure it’s out of the way and not lying across walkways or driveways.
Contact your local Baltimore electrical contractor, Clinton Electric, if you need any advice for your electric holiday decorations.