Making your Holiday Merry and Bright…Safely
This year you may be ready to amp up the cheery lights and holiday décor to bring a little joy through the final stretch of 2020! Check out these tips to make sure your winter wonderland is wired safely!
O’ Tannenbaum
- When choosing an artificial tree make sure it is one that is labeled as “fire-resistant.”
- Unplug your tree lights when you go to bed.
- Make sure you adequately water your tree to prevent it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Strung out
- Use indoor lights only in the interior of the home.
- Inspect holiday lights for broken pieces, frayed wiring or loose connections.
- Read up on stringing sets of lights together. Often there will be a limit on the number that can be connected.
- Hang outside lights on branches or hooks, never tack or nail them in place.
- Make sure to unplug or turn off all lights and decorations for the night. Using electrical timers is an easy way to set it and forget it.
Over Extended
- Inspect extension cords for cracked or frayed sockets.
- Use cords rated for exterior use outside.
- Do not overload extension cords. Check a power rating for devices plugged into extension cords.
- Keep outdoor extension cords from sitting in standing water.
- Never alter the number of prongs to match your outlet or plug.
- Extension cords should never be run through walls, doorways or ceilings, or under carpets. Doing so is a fire hazard.
- Extension cords should only be used for temporary power sources, not as a permanent wiring solution. Call a certified electrician to help with whole home rewiring or adding outlets to meet your home’s needs.
Long Winter’s Nap
- Keep electronics out of your bed. Electronics like heating blankets and even iPhones left on overnight can overheat under blankets and pillows.
- Make sure your home’s smoke alarms are wired to work in each bedroom and outside sleeping areas on every level.
- Keep fresh batteries in your flashlight and new ones nearby so you are ready for any emergency outage.
The holidays are merry and bright. Make sure they stay that way by being safe with your home’s electrical system and devices. If you are experiencing an electrical problem, the electricians at Apollo Home can help. Call them today.