Winter is a great time to ensure your home is safe and warm. But it can also be dangerous if you don’t have the right equipment and knowledge to keep everyone safe. Here are some winter electricity safety tips.
1. Don’t Plug Space Heaters Into Power Strips
It’s a prevalent misconception that you can plug space heaters into power strips. Space heaters are not designed for use with power strips, and doing so could cause severe damage to your heater or even start a fire. Power strips are also known for overloading circuits, resulting in tripped breakers or house alarms. This is especially dangerous during the winter when power consumption is low due to the lower demand for heating systems.
2. Leave Rewiring and Installation Projects to the Pros
Although you may assume you can complete the task independently, rewiring and installation projects are specialized skills that require training and experience. Never attempt any form of rewiring in your home. Hire a professional electrical service or company to do these things instead.
3. Invest in a Whole-House Surge Protector
A whole-house surge protector is a device that protects your entire house from power surges. They’re installed in the electrical panel and protect all the circuits in your home. Surge protectors can be pretty pricey compared to other types of protection devices, but they’re worth it if you want to avoid any electrical hazard during winter.
4. Replace Outdated Electrical Outlets
Most winter power outages are caused by outdated outlets. The sockets in your home deteriorate as the house ages. In some instances, old homes and electrical units with high-voltage equipment can spark and ignite. As a result, having any worn outlets in your home repaired or replaced is critical. Hire a professional electrician to replace the most commonly used outlets in bedrooms or living rooms. This is where people spend most of their time watching TV or working on laptops.
5. Clear the Area Where the Electrical Panel Is Located
Look for any obstacles in your home’s main electrical panel. In the event of a power outage, the area should be easily accessible. During severe winter storms, your home’s power may fluctuate, causing the switches to trip. In this case, you will have to turn them back on from the power panel manually.
6. Don’t Overload Circuits
One of the most important things to remember about electricity is that you can only use so much of it. For example, if your circuit has two outlets and you have a load on both of them, you should be able to use them simultaneously. However, suppose another person uses one of the outlets. In this case, an electrical overload in the system may occur, resulting in fire hazards or damage to other household items, such as appliances and electronics. As a result, your power circuit mustn’t be overloaded at any time this winter.
We hope this article has provided you with some helpful tips on how to keep your home safe from winter electricity safety hazards. Contact Nichols Electric and Plumbing in Rochester, NY, for all your electric needs.
