Get ready for sparkly, bright, colorful lights this holiday season. With inside or outside lighting, it’s important to stay safe. We have some great holiday safety tips in our “Holiday Lighting Safety Tips” blog and more tips below.
Don’t Plug in Too Many Lights
Plan your lights out so that you don’t have too many lights plugged into one extension cord creating a hazard. Use similar types of lights and lengths on the same extension cord. Also, too many lights plugged in can blow your circuit!
If the Breaker Trips
If you do overload the breaker, it may trip. Resetting the breaker is a temporary fix. Get to the electrical problem behind the breaker tripping. If needed, call us and we’ll find out if there are any electrical repairs or maintenance required to repair the circuit breaker or electrical systems.
Electrical Outlets
Homes often don’t have more than 2 exterior electrical outlets. If you have an elaborate outdoor display, consider adding an electrical outlet so you’re not overloading the ones you have, creating a potential fire risk. Make sure the outlets you use are GFCI electrical outlets. If you’re not sure or want a professional electrician, we provide electrical outlet repair and electrical outlet installation.
Outdoor Lights
Make sure any lights you use are rated for outdoor use. Check for any frayed wiring, broken bulbs, or loose connections. Throw out any damaged cords. Fasten with plastic clips and avoid using staples or nails as they can cut through the wire insulation and start a fire.
Add a twinkle to the roofline, windows, and outdoor shrubs and trees. If you’re thinking of adding permanent lighting to outdoor paths or driveways, this can illuminate those areas in the dark. Contact us as outdoor lighting is one of the electrical services we provide.
Take outdoor lights down within 90 days to avoid any weather hazards.
Christmas Trees
Keep your flame-resistant artificial tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources and make sure it isn’t blocking an exit. When you’re away from home, turn off the lights.
Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try something new this holiday season! Try out new lighting techniques or areas to light that bring the look and feel to your home of the festive season.
Stay Safe
The holiday season is an important time to remember fire safety. The National Fire Protection Association provides these statistics:
- Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.
- Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights.
- Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.
- Almost two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.
- One in five home decoration fires occurred in December.
Find more holiday and safety tips on the National Fire Protection Association website.
Electrical Services we Provide
There are several electrical services we can provide to ease holiday stress and increase safety for your home. We’re a full-service commercial and residential electrical service company and these electrical services may be ideal for the holiday season:
- Circuit breaker issues
- GFCI electrical outlets
- Electrical outlet repair
- Indoor/Outdoor electrical outlet installation
- Outdoor, year-round path and driveway lighting installation
- Surge protection
- TV wiring/installation
- Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector installation
Contact us online or call 515-669-3418 in Central Iowa and 319-313-3313 in Eastern Iowa for electrical work. We have experienced electricians available and also provide 24-hour emergency electrical services.
Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay
