The holidays are just a few weeks away and pretty soon you’ll be putting up decorations in your home. If you have kids, then you know how easy it can be to go overboard with the lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Every three-year-old wants to participate in the decorating process and though their excitement is contagious, it’s fair to say they’re not thinking about electrical safety.
We’ve got a few indoor and outdoor lighting safety tips to keep your family safe and ensure the kids are proud of their contributions.
1. Look out for overhead power lines and maintain at least a 10-foot distance when hanging lights around your roofline or in trees.
To prevent electrocution or fire, make sure that your decorations are a safe distance away from power lines. Better safe than sorry.
2. Don’t leave any electrical connections on the ground and make sure to hang sockets downward to prevent contact with water.
Especially if you have kids, electrical cords and sockets are a safety hazard. Keep them out of kids’ reach.
3. Limit three sets of standard incandescent lights for each extension cord.
Households across America are using more electricity during the month of December than any other month and you never know when an electrical surge could occur. Limit how many lights you have plugged into an extension cord to prevent damage.
4. To prevent damage, do not run electrical cords through door or window openings, under rugs, or near furniture.
It may seem convenient and like an easy solution, but running electrical cords through door or window openings can damage them and expose the wiring. If you don’t have enough electrical outlets in one room for your decorations, then maybe you’re going overboard with the lights.
5. For extra protection, plug outdoor lights and electric-powered decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).
This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of electric shock. Reach out to the Blue Apple Electric team for assistance installing GFCIs around your home.
6. Keep lights from touching carpeting, furniture, and drapes.
It’s ok to have an extra cord on the ground but avoid having light bulbs touch the ground. They can easily be stepped on and start a fire.
If you have any other questions about electrical safety this holiday season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Blue Apple Electric team!