Fall Electrical Safety Tips

Now that fall has arrived, it is a great time to check your home’s electrical system. Consider the following fall electrical safety tips to keep you and those you care about safe from electrical problems in the colder months: 

• Check for loose plugs in outlets. If they are loose and come in contact with a fabric or metal object, they can spark and cause a fire.
• Check that the ground fault circuit outlets reset correctly when the test button is pressed. This is especially important in areas of water, like near bathroom or kitchen sinks.
• If there are young children in your home or business, a protective cover should be fitted on unused outlets to protect them from accidental harm.
• Call Loess Hills Electrical to evaluate your circuits and, if necessary, repair or replace the electrical panel if you find yourself frequently resetting circuit breakers.
• Ensure the condition of the electrical cords you might be using for Christmas lights or other outdoor lights in the snow. Never patch an electrical cord with tape...always buy a new one.
• Check the smoke and CO detectors in your home. Testing them once a season is highly recommended to ensure the safety of your home or business.
• If you are planning to decorate for the holidays indoors or outdoors, ensure you are installing the proper wattage of light bulbs to less the liklihood of overheating leading to electrical fires.
• Unplug and safely store any chargers for batteries that you won't use until spring. Examples include electric lawn mower, week trimmer, or tree trimming equiptment.
• When outside, only use weatherproof electrical equipment for outdoor lighting or holiday decorations
• Maintain a clear path between dry leaves and outdoor lighting, outlets, and power cords.
• Make sure that electric blankets are in good condition and the cords are free from fraying, cracking, or visible wiring. Replace immediately if you notice any defects.
• When using an electric blanket, in order to decrease the change of fire or overheating, avoid putting anything on top of it, such as comforters, bedspreads, or tucking it beneath mattresses of children or adults
• Pets should never be allowed to nap on electric blankets. Also, do not allow pets to chew on any electric blanket or electrical cords.

Check out our Lighting Installation and Repair service page for more information on lighting safety, and to keep your family and friends safe inside your home, please read our previous blog Indoor Electrical Safety. These common sense approaches will help you and your loved ones stay safe and enjoy this fall season. If you have any concerns about the safety of your home or business electrical, please contact the local Council Bluffs electrician team at Loess Hills Electrical at 712-890-0090 with any electrical left to the professionals. We thank you and look forward to hearing from you soon!