Prioritize Electrical Safety for the Holidays
The arrival of the holiday season marks the beginning of winter, and lots of homeowners will be getting ready for good times with family and friends. Many will decorate their houses with colorful lights to create a festive atmosphere. Ensuring electrical safety at your home during the colder months should be prioritized because this is the period when homes are the most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical fires.
Holiday Safety Tips
Holiday decorations have electrical components that look safe, but they can turn into serious electrical hazards if they become faulty. Wintertime appliances like space heaters and electric blankets may become dangerous over time from wear and tear. Inspect their cords for fraying or cracking. Below are other safety tips that will make your holidays safer for your family and visitors.
• Prohibit kids from playing around space heaters, fireplaces, and open candle flames to help prevent fires or injuries. Turn off space heaters when they are not being used, especially those without a safety shutoff.
• Make sure the covers of electric outlets are intact by checking for cracking. In places where there is moisture, upgrade the outlets to ground fault circuit interrupter devices (GFCI). Exposed wiring near water needs to be addressed by a professional.
• Have your home’s electrical panel inspected by a licensed electrician, especially if you cannot remember the last time it was checked. Electric usage goes up significantly in winter, and you may need an upgrade to meet this demand.
• Avoid overloading outlets with an excessive number of appliances and/or Christmas lights because this might cause overheating which can lead to electrical fires.
• Thoroughly test your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing batteries where needed. In addition, Maryland law now requires that devices more than 10 years old must be replaced with devices that comply with certain specifications. Your family will be safer if battery-powered units are replaced with more reliable hardwired devices.
• Create an emergency and evacuation plan that your family will put into action during life-threatening situations.
Electrical Services You Can Trust
Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.