As the holidays draw near, many people will begin bringing out their Christmas
lights and icicles hidden in storage units to hang them up in celebration
of the holidays. Perhaps you are this year’s host of the annual
Thanksgiving banquet or having a Christmas sleepover with the entire family.
Remember, no matter what celebrations you will be hosting this year, safety
is always the number priority. You do not want an
electrical shortage, fire, or worse—a serious injury.
Here are some of our top tips:
Examine your lights.
Christmas lights are notorious for snagging, getting tangled, and getting
twisted in a variety of ways. Especially when they have been sitting in
your basement or attic since last Christmas. When the wires tighten in
this way, it can create friction that impacts the wiring. Thus, when you
plug in your lights, this can lead to a shortage. It is generally a good
idea to inspect your wires as well for any exposed wires or damaged pieces
that can shock you if plugged in.
Do not overload the electrical outlets.
There will be many appliances running at this time of year, not just your
Christmas lights. From the dish warmers to the hair dryers, and the television
and stereo blaring in the background. Our needs depend so much on technology
these days. Plug your devices in a good-quality surge protector, but do
not use every single socket available. Overloading is what leads to blown
fuses and eventually, fires.
Keep your Christmas trees watered.
Dry Christmas trees are the number one cause of fires during the holidays.
Lights strung on dry branches is the leading cause of these fires. A house
fire that started with a dry Christmas tree can be immense—and has
been known to cause serious injuries and sadly, even death.
Make sure to turn off lights and decorations.
While this may be the most obvious tip of all, it is still a good reminder
to have. Before you leave your home or go to bed, blow out the candles
and turn off all of the appliances and electrical devices. Candles left
burning are continuously one of the major causes of home fires at this
time of year.
For more electrical tips and holiday safety advice, feel free to
call Lightning Bug Electric! We help families throughout Metro Atlanta stay safe and enjoy their home
as we prepare to head into the holiday season.
Call our Atlanta electrical contractors at (404) 471-3847 today and request our services!