Electrical Safety Tips During Winter

When the weather turns cold, many people utilize electrical devices to keep their homes warm and comfortable. Unfortunately, portable heating equipment can catch fire if safety regulations are not followed. Due to the desire to stay inside and the desire for warmth, more electricity is consumed, increasing the risks associated with electricity.

During the winter, there are a number of electricity-related issues that might cause trouble for homeowners. Homeowners should be especially careful during severe weather because heavy snow, rain, and strong winds, among other things, can cause power outages, fluctuations, and other electrical risks. In light of this, learn some electrical safety tips in order to keep your family warm and safe this winter.

Check Your Central Electrical Panel

Your central electrical panel is the nerve center of your home’s electricity system so it is important to be familiar with your circuit panel. You should make sure everyone in the household knows where it is located.

You need to make sure there are no loose wires or worn insulation that could cause sparks or fires when inspecting it. Check that all of the switches are labeled and are working correctly. Remove any obstructions blocking easy access to the panel. Having the ability to quickly shut everything down if needed is extremely important.

Check For And Prevent Leaks

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. When snow and ice melt, water leaks can create issues with your home’s electrical panels or outlets. It is crucial that homeowners avoid water leaks in and around their homes. Be sure to check all the equipment that may cause leaks, such as your hot water heater, and ensure it is working properly. Whenever the exterior electric meter box is flooded or water has flooded electrical outlets, there is a greater chance of a hazardous spark.

In addition, the house gutters need to be cleaned to stop rainwater from coming into your basement or home, and the water pressure needs to be checked. High water pressure can cause ruptures and damage pipes, connections, and appliances. You should seek help from an expert if you observe any leakage as soon as possible to ensure your safety and reduce the risk of fire.

Check Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors

A smoke and carbon monoxide detector is installed in almost every home to prevent fires. Smoke alarms are an essential part of any home, but homeowners should never assume that they will always function properly. Each month, test your smoke detector by pressing the test button, which will cause an alarm to sound 

Winter is a time when nearly 30% of house fires occur, so make sure you change the batteries on all your smoke detectors and test them. Make sure you replace your batteries at least once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer if you need to.  If it’s time to replace the entire device, be sure to pick up new models according to code. It is important to use detectors with battery backup because they will still function even when the power goes out. For this, you should hire a licensed electrician to install new smoke detectors and provide guidance on their selection and placement.

Maintain HVAC Systems

Be sure that all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are working properly. By testing the air quality with a portable detector, the HVAC specialist will determine whether your home is subject to carbon monoxide poisoning. You should ensure that no problems exist with the flues, ducts, or vents that could result in dangerous gas leaks. In order to prevent any further risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, repairs should be made immediately. Also, adjust your thermostat if needed to save energy this winter season. Even adjusting the temperature by 1 degree can help reduce your electricity bills.

Make Sure That All Electrical Outlet Covers Are In Good Condition

Make sure to replace cracked or missing electrical outlet covers this winter season since it could pose a serious hazard. To reduce the risk of children getting electric shocks from electrical outlets, ensure that all outlets are covered. This will not only protect your children but will also prevent objects from falling into the outlet and causing a fire.

Overgrown Trees Should Be Trimmed

Trees are a homeowner’s delight, but overgrown trees can be hazardous too. Trees should never block the view of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors or outlets because this could pose a serious fire hazard. Therefore, it is important to keep your home safe by having any branches that are blocking existing light switches and electrical outlets pruned away by an expert. If you have tall trees around your home it is best to trim back their branches so they do not touch power lines. Downed power lines are dangerous and can lead to power outages, electrocution, and house fires. To reduce the risk of accidental contact with overhead power lines during winter months, hire an expert to take care of any dead wood and limbs near your property.

Check Outdoor Lighting

It is important to check outdoor lighting every 6 months because it can get damaged by falling icicles or snow. If you do not like the idea of climbing on your roof, hire an expert to inspect for any problems with lighting outside your house. Ensure that all wiring is free from damage and that it makes a secure connection before plugging in lights. Always use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets outdoors including near pools, spas and hot tubs to reduce the risk of electrical shock while taking baths during winter months.

Use Surge Protectors To Protect Appliances

Surge protectors are also important for protecting all your sensitive electronic equipment during winter. Ensure that the surge protector has the UL seal of approval to ensure safety and effectiveness. It is not safe to assume that power will not go out this winter because it could happen at any time. Keeping one or two backup generators for emergencies can be helpful in times of prolonged power outage.

Take Care With Space Heaters

Space heaters are often used to heat homes during the winter, but they should be kept away from anything that can easily catch fire. Be sure to use only the proper type of heater for your home and never place a heater near water or in an area where anyone might knock it over by accident. 

In addition, space heaters should be placed on flat, level surfaces and plugged directly into an outlet or surge protector. You should never use a heater that has a damaged or torn cord, and you should never use an extension cord with a space heater. Space heaters are blamed for many house fires every year so they should never be left unattended and using them safely is extremely important.

Unplug Unused Gadgets And Appliances

Put a nightly routine in place or unplug the non-essential electrical devices that are not connected to a surge protector. Electrical equipment can short circuit during winter storms. By unplugging these items, you’ll be able to save some electricity and avoid fires.

Check And Discard Worn Electrical Blankets

An electric blanket is placed beneath the bottom bed sheet and above the mattress. Wear and tear, manufacturing flaws, and inappropriate use can all cause electrical blankets to malfunction, posing a fire hazard. Units that are ten years or older are the source of many electrical blanket fires. You should regularly discard outdated or worn blankets and unplug it when it is not in operation.

Inspecting And Maintaining Your Appliances Is Important For Safety Too

In order to make sure everything at home stays safe this winter, remember to inspect and maintain any appliances. Ensure that oven controls are working properly and that no appliance cords have frayed insulation or broken plugs which might prevent them from working properly during an emergency situation 

Do not overload extension cords and power strips as they can lead to overheating and start fires. If there is a problem with an appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer, call in an appliance repair professional immediately because continued use might lead to serious injury or fire.

Consider Generator Installation And Maintenance

This time of year, you might experience electrical problems with your home’s electrical system because of a major winter storm. Nobody likes being without electricity. Make sure that your portable generator is on and properly mounted when the ice storms hit so that you can have safe and continuous power. As portable generators emit carbon monoxide, they should always be kept as far away from the home as possible.

Generally, it is a good idea to have a dedicated circuit for your portable generator so that you can only plug in the maximum amount of power it can handle. And, if you are fortunate enough to have a whole-house generator, make sure it’s running before a big storm hits.

Conclusion

Winter is unquestionably a time when electricity usage increases, necessitating greater attention to electrical safety. As winter approaches, multiple power outages result from severe winds, snowfall, and heavy rains. Make sure all electrical cables are properly insulated. Accidents involving electricity can be extremely dangerous and financially devastating. We recommend you follow the safety tips mentioned above and take precautions.