The holidays are here, and that means it’s time to plug in the lights, put up the decorations, and get ready to start the party. But before you do that, it’s important to make sure that your home and your electrical equipment in particular are prepared to face the season. Luckily, our skilled electricians are here to help you get your home’s electrical system ready for the holidays. Keep reading for what you need to know, and remember that you can call All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric for all your essential electrical services.
Steps to Take to Prepare Your Electrical Equipment for the Holidays
- Lighting: Installing the proper lights is a key part of any holiday decorating, whether it’s getting things spooky for Halloween or making sure everything is festive for Christmas. For one thing, you should use lights that are specifically designed for outdoor use (the good news is that modern labeling makes this pretty apparent.) Beyond that, make sure that you are not using so many lights that it could be dangerous (you don’t want a Clark Griswold situation, after all,) and always turn off your display when you go to bed at night. Remember, no matter how pretty your lights are, they are not worth risking a fire over.
- Outlets: Speaking of lights, another important part of safe holiday decorating is making sure your outlets aren’t overloaded. You should use power strips and surge protectors as necessary, but if you find you are using extension cord on extension cord upon extension cord, you are doing something wrong. Bottom line: leave a space amount of space around your outlets so you don’t create a tripping hazard, and if you find that your lights are flickering, that means you are overexerting your system. This brings us to…
- Breakers/Panels: Few times of the year require as much electricity as the holidays. From putting up decorations, to running your heating equipment more, to guests coming in and out and using your equipment, now is the time to make sure your electrical panel is up to the task. If you find that you are frequently tripping any breakers, call an electrician to come take a look. At All Pro, our experts can easily tell you if there’s one circuit specifically that’s the problem, or if you are dealing with a larger issue in your panel. We can also upgrade you from a fuse box if necessary, as you do not want to risk using such old, outdated equipment during this time of year (or any time of year, for that matter.)
- Space Heaters: Our main tip when it comes to space heaters? Don’t use them! These devices are notorious for causing electrical fires, and the cords create major tripping hazards. They can easily overheat if you don’t keep a close eye on them, and in most climates, the money they may save you in your heating bill is not worth the potential risks of using them. If you feel you must use a safe heater, just make sure that someone is always in the room while it is being operated, and keep pets and children away from your heater at all times.
For more electrical tips this holiday season or to schedule service, just call All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric now at (909) 500-8193, or fill out our contact form online. And remember, we are also available 24/7 for emergency service!
