When the theme of the season is merry and bright, the pressure is on for your home’s electrical system to perform at its peak during the holidays. Here’s a list of holiday home electrical tips to make sure your home is ready for the spotlight.
Outdoor Lighting Safety Tips
- Check your holiday lights before plugging them in for any frayed wires, broken bulbs, or exposed wiring, even if they worked just last year. Damaged lights pose a significant fire hazard, so it’s essential to replace any defective strands. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient LED lights, which use up to 75% less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs, according to ENERGY STAR®.
- Only use lights rated for outdoor use outside. Indoor lights are not designed to withstand the elements and can short out or pose a risk of shock. Look for weather-resistant bulbs and cords marked for outdoor use.
- To reduce the risk of electrical shock, always plug outdoor lights into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet.
- Keep electrical connections from lying on the ground and hang sockets in the downward position to prevent water from seeping into them.
- Check for powerlines before hanging strings of lights on your roof or trees. You should be no closer than 10 feet to any power line.
Indoor Lighting Safety Tips
- Don’t overload circuits. It’s tempting to rival the neighbors when setting up holiday decor, but overloading electrical outlets and circuits can be a serious fire risk. Use a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker to protect your decorations. Avoid daisy-chaining multiple power strips together, as this can overload your electrical system.
- Avoid running cords through doorways or in high-traffic areas, which can create a tripping hazard. Never run cords under rugs, which increases the risk of overheating.
- Turn off your holiday lights before you go to bed or leave home. Use timers or smart plugs to automatically control your lights. This not only saves energy but also helps protect your home from potential electrical hazards.
- Use the right wattage. When selecting bulbs for your holiday lights, make sure you’re using the correct wattage for the sockets. Using bulbs that draw more power than the socket is rated for can cause overheating and increase the risk of fires. Check the packaging of your light strands for the recommended bulb wattage, and never exceed it.
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General Electrical Safety Tips
- Get a main electrical panel tune-up to catch electrical issues early and ensure it can handle the increased holiday load. If your circuit breakers frequently trip, it may be time to have an electrician assess your home’s electrical capacity.
- If your holiday gift list includes the purchase of new electrical appliances, make sure your home has the proper surge protectors to protect it from power fluctuations. A certified electrician can install a whole-home surge protection system.
- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The holidays bring more cooking, baking, and, in some homes, the use of fireplaces and space heaters. Make sure that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Test them regularly and change the batteries at least once a year. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, consider replacing them entirely for the latest safety features.
Choose Larry & Sons for Electrical Services in MD, PA & WV
At Larry & Sons, our trained professionals can tackle your inside and outside holiday electrical needs, from upgrading your electrical panel to appliance wiring to whole-home rewiring. We have been your trusted electrician since 1960.
Contact us online now to schedule professional electrical services.
