Holiday Electrical Safety Tips

It’s official: The holiday season is here! And although it’s known to be packed with twinkling lights, celebrations galore, and holiday cheer, it also comes with potential danger — how so? Well, if you’re decking the halls, there’s a chance that you could be doing it unsafely, electrical-wise.

So, before you begin to plug in another strand of lights or set up an inflatable holiday wonderland on your front lawn, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

Electrical Safety Tips for Homeowners

Use a Power Strip Wisely

Ah, the power strip! Known to be one of the most helpful tools for any residential light show, this “power pavilion” can be of great use during the holiday season. And while it might seem harmless to plug multiple cords into it at once, it can also be a recipe for disaster. Believe it or not, too many items plugged into the strip can cause a power overload — which happens when too many sources are relying on one central hub for electricity.

Another thing to be mindful of is that under no circumstances should two power strips be plugged into the same wall outlet. To stay in the clear, keep this in mind: When in doubt, plug very few, low-voltage objects into a single power strip to not only utilize this helpful tool correctly but to keep you and your family out of harm’s way from a potential electrical fire.

Don’t Use the Wrong Extension Cords

Sure, it can seem harmless to some homeowners to use an indoor extension cord outside, but that will only lead to trouble. The fact of the matter is that those specific types of cords aren’t equipped to handle the elements — they’re fragile, if you will. That said, if a cord gets wet, it can cause a dangerous situation.

Additionally, if an indoor extension cord is exposed to sunlight for an extended period, the powerful rays (no matter what time of the year it may be) can disintegrate the cord. However, the solution to the problem is simple: Use outdoor cords! These power extenders are specially built to be durable, tackling the elements with the utmost ease, and should be your only choice of extension cord in the great outdoors.

Check Light Strands

On average, how long would you say that you had your light strands? If they are over four years old, it might be time for replacements. In fact, no matter the age, you should inspect your strands every year before use. The reason being is that if there’s a cracked bulb or fray in the wiring, you could be looking at the possible start of an electrical fire — especially if you were to hang them on a bush or tree.

Now, if your light strands have seen better days and you’re looking to replace them, check out light-emitting diode (LED) strands. Not only are these bulbs made of durable plastic, but they illuminate your home much more efficiently. Furthermore, LED strands rely on less energy to power on and are even brighter than incandescent bulbs — a huge perk to the homeowner that wants their home to shine as the brightest on the block!

Let Your Decorations Rest

While the glow of your holiday lights might be beautiful and invoke joy, they can also cause sky-high energy bills and potentially start a fire. That’s right: Your holiday display shouldn’t be on all night long — no matter how tempting that may be. You want to make sure that you turn off all your lights and illuminated decorations off before you go to bed. Not only will this help save money on your energy bill, but it will also keep you and your loved ones safe in the long run.

If Your Home is in Need of Electrical Assistance this Holiday Season, Give us a Call!

Here at Stuart Services, we can help out! In addition to our expert plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services, we also offer 24-7 emergency assistance throughout New Orleans. Explore our website to learn more about what we do, and schedule your service call using our online form or by calling 504-321-2079.