As the holiday season fast approaches, many of us are thinking about buying gifts and visiting with family members. However, if you’re like most families, you’ll be hanging lights and putting a high demand on your electrical system. For this reason, it’s imperative that you stay on the lookout for some common electrical safety concerns, so you can remedy them before you have a major problem.
Using Endless Extension Cords
You should never plug extension cords into one another. Any extension cord should be plugged directly into an outlet that is rated to handle it. Additionally, you should never plug an extension cord into a multi-plug outlet extender.
Using Indoor Lights for Outdoor Decorating
One very common mistake that many homeowners make in the excitement of the holiday season is putting lights rated only for indoor use outside. Many indoor lights aren’t waterproof or able to withstand outdoor elements. Conversely, it’s important to note that some outdoor lights tend to burn hotter than indoor lights. Therefore, outdoor lights shouldn’t be used indoors.
Using Damaged Wires
Whether the wire on your light strand has exposed metal or an extension cord plug is missing its third prong, this sort of problem can create a fire hazard. It’s best to replace any items that have exposed wires or other defects that make them unsafe. Additionally, all products should have a seal on their cords from the Underwriters Association (UL) verifying that they were tested to be safe for consumer use.
Overloading Outlets
Another common mistake that many make is overloading their outlets with way too many decorations. You should plan on spacing out your holiday decorations so that they can draw power from a multitude of outlets. Additionally, be mindful of the ratings on the power strips that you plug into any of your outlets to ensure that they can handle the extra power load.
Expert Electrical Services
Our team at GVEC Electrician Services offers a complete range of expert electrical services for the region around Seguin, TX. We can also help with all of your solar, battery storage and whole-home surge protection needs. Contact us today to get the professional electrician assistance you need for your home.
