Electrical Safety Tips for the Winter

Cooler weather is moving back into Central Virginia, meaning it's much more likely that you and your family will be spending more time indoors. During these colder months, it's common to bring out the electrical space heaters and heated blankets for comfort. All of these actions can lead to one dangerous consequence: electrical fire hazards.

Every year, thousands of people are severely injured due to electrical fires and accidents. This is the time to stay mindful of electrical safety both inside and outside your home.

Electrical Safety Tips

While our warming appliances provide much-needed comfort, they also pose potential safety hazards if not used correctly. To ensure a safe and cozy winter, here are some essential electrical safety tips:

• Use space heaters wisely and sparingly. Electrical space heaters can provide a much-needed blast of warm air while you're working at your desk or snuggling up on the couch. However, they are high-wattage appliances, increasing the risk of electrical fires. This is why it's so important to keep your space heaters away from flammable materials like bedding, curtains, thick carpets, paper and clothing.
  When you place a space heater in your home, make sure it is on a flat and stable surface. It should not be directly placed near a wall or piece of furniture. You should also monitor use and not leave the room or house with a space heater still turned on. It's also never recommended to keep a space heater on while asleep. To increase safety, we recommend using space heaters with automatic shutoff features when overheating or if tipped over.
• Check your electric blankets. As the temperature drops, you may feel the need to break out the electric blankets. Since they've probably been in storage for a while, you may want to check the power cord for cracks or fraying before using it. Also, while in use, do not put anything on top of the electric blanket, such as comforters or bedspreads.
• Be careful with holiday lighting. Before you get too excited about holiday lights, first inspect your lighting for any wiring damage, cracked bulbs or other obvious issues. Cracked or frayed wires can spark a fire, so it's best to toss out any damaged lighting. We also never recommend hanging lights on a dry tree. If possible, upgrade to LED lights - they're energy-efficient and produce almost no heat.
• Test your fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Since you'll be spending more time indoors, you'll likely be using more electrical devices and appliances inside as well. This increases the chance of an electrical fire occurring. Take the time to test all your smoke detectors to be sure they are in working order. Similarly, carbon monoxide poisoning increases in the winter due to being indoors more often and using more gas. Make sure both of your detectors are in proper working order, and replace the batteries every couple of months.
• Clear all leaves outside. Clear dry leaves away from any outlets or outdoor lighting. Dry yard debris can easily catch fire if it comes in contact with a hot bulb or spark. Also, sweep away any debris that may have collected around your outdoor HVAC unit.
• Avoid overloading circuits. As we plug in more devices, we introduce the risk of circuitry overload. Make sure you spread out your electrical load across the home without overwhelming one circuit or extension cord. You may want to consider adding an arc fault circuit breaker to avoid overloaded circuits and reduce the risk of electrical fires.

Stay Safe this Winter

By being aware of the risks and communicating these electrical safety tips to your friends and family, you can better avoid electrical fire hazards this winter. Make sure to educate your young children about the importance of electrical fire safety and why it is essential to unplug certain devices and avoid mixing water with electricity.

By following these electrical safety tips, you can enjoy a warm, festive, and safe winter season. Remember that safety starts with awareness and proactive measures. If in doubt, contact Bradley Mechanical to get in touch with one of our NATE-certified electricians to address any electrical concerns in your home.

We want you and your family to stay safe during the fall and winter. If your home's HVAC or electrical systems need maintenance, inspection, or repair, give Bradley Mechanical a call at (804) 748-6728. Our experienced technicians would be glad to troubleshoot any issues you may have.