Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and
bonding with friends and family. However, the holidays can quickly turn sour
when the very decorations that brighten up the household can cause accidents.
According to experts, one out of three Christmas trees catch fire due to faulty
electrical components. If you plan on making your holidays problem-free, you
might want to have an electrician
check out your house and decorations for any faults.
Here are
some tips to keep to jolly spirit of Christmas alive by upholding electrical
safety:
1. Buy a fire-resistant
Christmas tree – if you happen to go shopping for an artificial tree this
year, be sure that you are buying one that specifically says “fire-resistant”
on the label. This does not mean that the tree won’t burn. However, it will be
hard for it to combust which gives you enough time to put out the fire in case
it lights up.
2. Buy a
fresh tree – if you want to stand by tradition and choose to buy a fresh
tree, go for the freshest one you can find. Don’t settle for a tree that’s
already days or weeks old. An older tree may have already dried up and will be
easier to combust. Ask your local Florence electrician
for help regarding installing lighting and other electric decorations.
3. Use
lights where intended – some decorative lighting
are specifically meant for indoor use. Other are designed for outdoor
applications. While it may sound like a no-brainer, only install lights outside
when they are rated for outdoor use. Don’t install indoor lights on your porch
or anywhere else outside your home.
4. Use
insulated hooks – proper insulation is key to preventing electrocution or
possible electrical fires. Use hooks that have rubber insulation when hanging
wires and lights.
5. Check
your lights – before you turn on the lights outside your home, make sure
everything is working. Any landscape lighting must be
installed properly to avoid electrocution.
6. Check the
label – when buying decorative lighting, be sure that you check the label
before you purchase. Make sure that each one is rated and have met safety
guidelines.
7. Beware of
using extension cords – use extension cords with caution. Don’t overload
them and never use them for permanent or semi-permanent applications. Only use
them as temporary outlets and keep them away from heat or water.
8. Don’t
overload your outlets – it is never a good idea to overload electrical
outlets. In case you need to plug in more lights, find other outlets
you can plug them into. Don’t use extension cords on outlets that already bear enough
electrical load.
9. Turn off
the lights – before you go to bed at night, don’t forget to turn off the
lights. Only turn the lights on when you or other individuals are at home. Never
let lights stay lit all night unless they are rated for prolonged usage.
10. Hire an
electrician for an inspection – before you start decorating your home for Christmas,
be sure to hire experts like Florence
Electrician Pros for an inspection. This will prevent any electrical
issues from occurring especially in the middle of the holidays.
Is your home’s electrical system ready for the
holidays? Don’t let electrical problems ruin your Christmas! Call Florence
Electrician Pros to maintain electrical safety in your household. You may reach
us at (843) 212-4173.
Florence Electrician Pros
Florence, SC 29501
843-212-4173
http://electricianprosflorence.com/