How to Safeguard Your Home Against Winter Electrical Hazards

Wintertime means that it is also Christmas time. That is when a lot of homeowners will put up fancy lights and lawn inflatables outside their homes. It is a fun and simple way of getting in the festive spirit of the holiday season. It is also a time when we may use space heaters and other electrical appliances we do not use the rest of the year. Doing these things may seem harmless, but they can cause serious damage if you are not careful. Here are some simple tips to get you and your family safe from electrical disasters during the holiday season.

• Check Cords & Appliances: Check your electrical appliances and cords for signs of damage. Make sure you do not notice any exposed wiring or damage to the cord in any way and clean off the dust. If you notice a cord has a cut in it, is kinked, or exposed, do not use the appliance or cord.

• Be Careful Using Space Heaters: Space heaters are a nice way to help heat up a room during the cold winter months. However, they can be dangerous too. Be sure to keep an area of at least 3 feet around the heater clear of any furniture, toys, or other objects. Objects being too close to the heater can catch on fire. Also, try to place it in a spot that does not get much foot traffic or is unlikely to get knocked over by accident.

• Check Your Smoke Alarms: These systems can be lifesaving in an event of a fire. Check to make sure that they still work and install fresh batteries.

• Avoid Overloading Extension Cords: Many people use extension cords and surge protectors to power their appliances because they lack the proper number of electrical outlets. Short circuits and overloads frequently occur because of this. Instead of using extension cords, have new outlets installed and have your electrical system upgraded.