During the cold winter months, electricity use goes up. The days are shorter, so lights are on for more hours during the day. Homeowners might want to keep things cozier by using things like space heaters and electrical blankets. During the holidays, Christmas lights and decorations are put up, using up more electricity than other months of the year.
With all this electricity use, it’s important to keep electrical safety in mind. Hauer Power Electrical Inc. in Edmonton shares some electrical safety tips to keep your home and family safe this winter:
1. Be mindful of safety when using a space heater.
Space heaters can help take the chill off our feet in the basement, or keep us cozy in the home office, but they can also be a hazard if not used safely. Make sure your space heaters are always kept at least 4 feet away from any curtains, furniture or other items and never leave them unattended when in use. Always plug the space heater directly into the wall outlet – never use an extension cord to plug it in.
2. Install and/or test the carbon monoxide detector.
Your natural gas furnace is running overtime during the winter, and you want to make sure that no harmful carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. Even the use of wood and coal as a fuel can produce harmful levels of CO2, so make sure you have a functional, tested carbon monoxide detector. Make sure you change the batteries and replace the detector according to manufacturers instructions.
3. Don’t overload circuits.
Christmas lights are a big culprit for overloading electrical circuits. You want to have interior lights, Christmas tree lights and other electronics plugged in, not to mention the extensive outdoor light display too! If your circuit breaker trips, it means the circuit is overloaded and you need to start unplugging things.
You should also make sure that your using bulbs with the recommended wattage for your light fixtures and that you’re only plugging in three-prong cords into three-prong outlets. Do not use extension cords for permanent solutions. If you don’t have enough outlets, contact Hauer Power Electrical Inc. to enlarge the circuit and add more outlets for you.
4. Always hire electricians in Edmonton for electrical work.
You should always leave any electrical repairs or installations to professional electricians. Electricity is dangerous, and a small mistake can lead to house fires, serious injury or even death. Plus, most electrical renovations need to be done in compliance to building code, which requires an inspection and sign off from a pro. Hauer Power Electrical will make sure that all your electrical projects and repairs, big and small, are done safely, to code and in a timely manner.
Need an electrician this winter? Contact Hauer Power Electrical Inc. in Edmonton!
