Six Must-Follow Electrical Safety Tips for Winter

January 19, 2018 6:27 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Temperatures are dipping low all across the country in a sign that winter’s here… and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The best thing you can do is hunker down in your home and wait for the season to pass.

While you’re holed up for the winter, make sure you’re doing yourself and your home a favor and pay careful attention to your use of electricity. We rely on copious amounts of electricity during the winter—for everything from the lights on the Christmas tree to the warmth generated by the space heater. Paying mind to how often and how intensely we use electricity could be the difference between a system that works and the cost that comes with calling an emergency electrician in Forsyth County, GA!

Take a look at these six simple tips to follow regarding your home’s electricity as you seek to weather the rest of the season comfortably:

  1. Keep an eye on flickering or dimming lights. This is a sign that you’re in danger of overloading your circuit. Too many things plugged in and drawing power can cause your lights to respond this way. If you notice this becoming an issue, try unplugging a few things or using an outlet on a different circuit.
  2. Make sure your circuit breaker box is properly labelled and that it’s been recently inspected. Homes are more prone to breaker trips and blown fuses in the winter, and if this happens to you, you’re going to want to know where the problem is right away. A well-labeled breaker box will save you time.
  3. Unplug whatever you’re not using to both save power and keep your circuits open. For example, unplug the microwave until it comes time to use it, or unplug your lamp during the day. It might seem simple, but it’s a great way to avoid phantom power draw and keep outlets unoccupied.
  4. Make sure any plumbing that’s near your electrical installations is well insulated. Burst pipes and leakages are common during winter, and if they’re located near electrical installations, you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
  5. Try to rely on space heaters, heated blankets and electric fireplaces as little as possible. Save these luxuries for the coldest days! Not only are they fire hazards if used improperly, they’re also huge power draws—meaning your electrical bill is going to skyrocket and your circuits are going to be pushed to the max.
  6. Going on vacation to escape the cold? Unplug all non-essentials before you leave. Again, this prevents phantom power draw while you’re away and eliminates any other potential power issues that might arise. It’s your first line of defense against accidents and unforeseen circumstances.

All of the above items are simple enough for anyone to accomplish and far less costly when compared to what you’ll pay to hire an emergency electrician in Forsyth County, GA in the event of a problem. Make sure you’re following these simple tips to protect yourself and your home this winter.

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