As the holiday season approaches, ensuring electrical safety in your home is essential. Beautiful holiday lights, candles, decorations, and heaters will be set up to make homes feel festive and cozy. However, following electrical safety tips to prevent accidents and keep your family safe this winter.
In this blog, we will explore the top electrical safety tips during the holidays you should follow to navigate this winter season safely.
1) Outdoor Holiday Lights vs Indoor Holiday Lights
There are major differences between outdoor and indoor holiday lights. Outdoor lights are more durable and able to withstand different types of inclement weather like rain, snow, and wind. This is because they are designed with weather-resistant electrical materials. On the other hand, indoor holiday lights cannot withstand harsh weather conditions.
If moisture accumulates on indoor lights, it increases the risk of an electrical shortage or fire. Outdoor lights should never be used inside, and indoor lights should never be used outside. Using outdoor holiday lights indoors is unsafe because they operate at a higher temperature to withstand outdoor conditions. This increases the risk of fire hazards, especially around flammable items like holiday trees. Choosing the appropriate lights for your decorating needs to ensure safety and longevity throughout the holiday season.
Milton Electric Safety Tip
Do not connect more than three strings of outdoor vintage holiday lights to avoid overloading a circuit.
2) Stay Warm and Cozy with Space Heaters
Space heaters and heated blankets are excellent for keeping you warm and cozy during the winter, but they can pose serious safety hazards if the proper precautions are not taken. Prioritizing space heater safety is necessary, especially during the holiday season when electrical usage often increases.
Milton Electric recommends placing your space heater at least three feet away from flammable materials. Examples of items in your home that can be flammable include carpets, bedding, drapes, furniture, and paper decorations. To reduce the risk of an electrical fire or overheating, ensure space heater safety is a top priority by keeping all space heaters as far away from these home items as possible.
3) Heated Blanket Safety for This Holiday Season
Heated blankets have become popular in homes to keep extra warm during the winter. However, heated blanket safety needs to be prioritized to prevent hazards like burn injuries and fires. Over time, heated blankets can experience wear and tear, leading to frayed wires or a faulty setting that affects electrical components.
Remember to plug the heated blanket directly into a wall outlet as power strips can lead to overheating. Which increases your risk of an electrical fire. Before you use your heated blanket each time, you should regularly check for any frayed or exposed wiring and replace the blanket as needed.
Milton Electric Safety Tip
You should never fold or crumple your heated blanket as this will lead to the internal electrical wiring being damaged.
4) Electrical Outlet Safety for this Holiday Season
Holiday lights, Christmas trees, LED lights, and yard decorations use lots of electricity and require outlets during the holiday season. Did you know electrical outlets are safer for holiday lights and decorations than power strips? This is because power strips can quickly overheat, causing them to catch fire. Also, depending on the power strip, it can only withstand a specific wattage.
If you plan on using a significant amount of holiday lights this year, you may want to consider installing new outlets. An electrician can easily install additional outdoor outlets for your winter holiday lighting.
Milton Electric Safety Tip
GFCI outlet installation is the best to accommodate for additional outdoor lighting.
5) Candle Safety: The Benefits of Flameless Candles
Candles are a beloved choice during the holiday season, adding a cozy and festive ambiance to homes and bedrooms. However, prioritizing candle safety is essential when incorporating them into your decor. While traditional scented candles provide beautiful designs and scents that enhance holiday celebrations, they expose a flame, which could lead to a fire hazard. Flameless candles that are battery-operated shine as an excellent alternative to traditional scented candles.
Flameless candles eliminate the risk of open flames and can be left unattended, allowing for peace of mind during holiday gatherings. Electric candles often use LED lights to mimic the look of a real candle flame, creating a flameless ambiance. Additionally, they enhance holiday decor with a variety of styles to choose from.
Milton Electric Safety Tip
Even though flameless candles are safer than scented candles, flameless candles are battery operated. Therefore, they should be kept out of reach of children.
Electrical Safety With Certified Electrician, Milton Electric
The team at Milton Electric wants you to prioritize electrical safety during the holidays. The risk of accidents significantly rises with increased holiday lights, decorations, and electrical appliances. Overloaded circuits, improper use of power cords, and electrical malfunction can lead to serious hazards, including fires.
Utilize our electrical safety tips for holiday electrical safety. Furthermore, be mindful of the best practices for space heaters, heated blankets, candles, and outlets. If you need additional outlet installation to accommodate your holiday lights and decorations, reach out to the Milton Electric team today!
Get a FREE Quote
At Milton Electric, we have the skills to handle various electrical tasks, from installing ceiling fans to wiring new homes. With our expertise and years of experience, we are committed to delivering top-notch electrical services that meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Trust us to get the job done right.