The holiday season means homes start lighting up. Bright, twinkling lights decorate living rooms. Reindeer prance. Elves, and Santa wave to neighbors from rooftops and front lawns. Lights line driveways, hanging from eaves and fill tree branches. All these cheerful sights on dark winter nights come with some hazards, too. San Luis Obispo’s electrical company, Electricraft, Inc., has some safety tips for the holidays.
Inspect electrical decorations before using them
- Inspect electrical cords on decorations and extension cords for frayed wires, damaged protective coatings, or damaged sockets.
- Inspect any motorized decorations to make sure the motors are trouble-free and any cords are free of damage.
- Test items one-by-one before turning them all on.
- Immediately replace anything that is not working correctly or is damaged.
Control those cords!
Minimize the use of extension cords, and when used, make sure the cord is rated for the intended use. For example, only use outdoor rated cords outside.
Power cords with builtin circuit breakers can help avoid overloading your home’s electrical system.
Other important cord safety include:
- Don’t secure cords with staples or tacks. There is the potential of damaging the wires that can result in a fire.
- Don’t run them under furniture and rugs, where they can become fire hazards.
- Keep them out of paths of travel where someone might trip.
- Keep them away from heaters and floor vents, and away from sources of water.
Consider LED lights
- LED lights generate less heat, and you can get strings of LED lights that are battery operated.
- Whether you opt for traditional or LED lights, use then as intended. Use only outdoor rated lights and cords outside.
- Also, consider strings of solar lights for outdoor use.
- Remember that electricity and water are a dangerous combination and consider that when placing outdoor decorations.
Turn off the lights!
Turn off the lights and unplug all cords before going to bed or leaving the house, reminds The San Luis Obispo electrical company team.
Not only does this save energy during one of the most costly energy-use times of the year, but it’s also an extra layer of fire safety. Timers can also be useful for turning everything off at a specified time.
Watch kids and pets
Keep an eye on the kids and pets. Twinkling lights and dangling decorations are magnets for curious minds and playful pets. Use the season to teach the kids about electrical safety.
Have an emergency plan
The holidays are the time of year that sees the most home fires and accidents in the home. Follow a few basic steps:
- Make sure fire and smoke alarms are working.
- Keep fire extinguishers available in key locations.
- Pre-holiday planning is a good time to create an emergency escape plan if you don’t already have one. The United States Fire Administration website is a good source.
Seek professional assistance
If your holiday décor is extensive, throughout the home and property, consider a pre-holiday electrical inspection by the San Luis Obispo electrical company. An inspection will make sure your electrical system is up to the extra load and reduces fire risk.
Don’t let the tree dry out
Natural Christmas trees are still the leading favorite, but they do require extra attention. The main thing is to keep it well watered so it doesn’t become a fire hazard.
- Check the water daily.
- Unplug the lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Set it up away from the fireplace and other heat sources, including floor vents.
- If the tree dries out before the holidays are over, it’s safer to discard it than to keep using it.
Monitor any candles
The romantic glimmer of candles adds to the holiday’s mystique, but they are also a common cause of fires any time of year. If you use candles, don’t leave them unattended and keep flammable materials away. Watch young children and pets, especially cats.
Consider using flameless candles instead.
“Happy Holidays,” from the Electricraft team!
