Homeowner’s Checklist for Winter Electrical Safety – Part 1

The cooler temperatures and shorter days that arrive with winter can significantly increase your home’s electrical consumption. Greater usage can strain an electrical system, and potentially dangerous weather conditions like snow or sleet can further raise safety concerns.

Winter’s Unique Electrical Hazards

It is wise to hire a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s wiring and ensure that everything is functioning properly and up to local code. Aside from the holiday season’s surge in electrical usage, winter can bring unique electrical hazards.

Power lines can be brought down by ice, heavy snow, and strong winds, resulting in electrical outages and even fires. By winterizing the electrical system and appliances of your home, you can provide greater protection to your family and property.

To prepare your home for winter, you can use the following checklist for increasing winter electrical safety.

Winter Checklist for Electrical Safety

Find and Prevent Leaks

Combining water and electricity means danger. Melting snow and ice can create water leaks affecting your home’s electrical outlets and panels. Inspect appliances that may leak, such as the water heater and washing machine, to ensure they are working properly. Clean house gutters to stop rainwater from overflowing and entering your home. Excessive water pressure can also rupture and damage pipes and appliances.

Electrical Panel Inspection

All adult residents living in your home should know the electrical panel’s location.  There should be clear access to it. Ensure that every switch is labeled and properly functioning. In an emergency, it may be important to be knowledgeable about how to shut down your electrical grid.

Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Have a licensed electrician inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure their installations are up to code. This professional may determine you need more detectors, so rely on their expertise for installations. Studies have found that almost 30% percent of residential fires happen during the colder months. Test each detector and replace batteries whenever necessary or install 10-year sealed detectors for more piece of mind.

Part 2 will continue discussing more tasks that will increase your home’s electrical safety.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:

• Standby Generator Installation
• Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
• Structured Cabling
• Circuit Breaker Replacement

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.