The winter season is associated with holiday festivities. Sadly, hundreds of house fires dampen the season each year, many of which are started by electrical fires. In this post, Bailey & Shipp Electric shares how to keep your home safe with these electrical safety tips.
Have a Maintenance Check Performed on Your HVAC System
Bad electrical connections, leaking fuel lines and faulty gas connections are just a few of the issues that can cause fires. Call a qualified HVAC contractor in to do a preventive maintenance check before winter arrives.
Use Space Heaters Properly
Space heaters can provide additional heating for your home as long as they’re used properly. Just be sure to adhere to these safety precautions:
- Always plug space heaters into a wall outlet rather than a power strip, as power strips can’t handle the high current space heaters require.
- Don’t run cords under carpets or area rugs.Never leave pets or children alone with space heaters.
- Keep anything flammable away from the front of the unit.Turn them off before you leave the house or go to sleep.
Keep Safe With Christmas Lights
Christmas lights can add to the festive spirit this holiday season. Electrical contractors recommend taking the following safety measures into consideration to ensure that your lights spark joy–not fire–in your home.
- Before installing your lights, inspect the wiring for damage.
- The Christmas lights on your tree must only be plugged into a surge protector.
- Keep your live Christmas tree well-watered, as a dry tree is prone to catching fire from the Christmas lights.
- Use only lights that have a safety certification
- Consider using LED lights, as these use less energy and don’t produce as much heat as traditional ones.
- When decorating outdoors, use only lights and extension cords that are designed for outdoor use.
Use Your Generator Properly
If at some point you decide to get a generator, take the following safety precautions:
- Make sure your whole-house standby generator is properly installed by professional electricians.
- Don’t use stale fuel in a portable generator.
- Call your electrician to inspect the generator if it’s been sitting idle for six months or more.
Be Safe Around Electric Blankets
- To prevent overheating, don’t layer one blanket on top of another.
- Stop using them if the cords are frayed.
Trust Bailey & Shipp Electric, one of the most top commercial electrical contractors in Maryland, for all your electrical needs. We’re always ready to serve you, and can be contacted at (410) 457-3507. We also offer emergency services 24/7. Our service coverage includes Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.