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Important Winter Electrical Safety Tips

Dec 7, 2021 | Electrical Safety

Freezing temperatures, snow, and excessive precipitation can put intense stress on your home’s electrical system. To ensure that your home stays safe and comfortable throughout the cold winter months, there are many precautions and other actions that should be performed. As leading providers of commercial and residential electrical services, the team at Expert Electric knows how important winter preparation is for homes of all sizes. That is why we have compiled some important winter electrical safety tips to help you ensure that your home is sufficiently prepared.

Learn about the importance of surge protection for your home.

4 Electrical Tips to Keep Your Home Safe During Winter

To keep your home safe from various electrical hazards during winter, consider the following tips:

1. Be Prepared for Power Outages

Power outages are most common in winter due to excessive snow, the formation of ice, and windy conditions that can damage power lines, transformers, and other vital power components. Should an outage occur, it is always better to be prepared. Ensure that you have several easily accessible LED flashlights or other battery-powered light sources ready for use to maintain visibility. In some cases, it is possible to be without power for up to 72 hours. Ensure that you are fully prepared with an emergency kit that contains enough supplies to last up to 72 hours without power. Some of the supplies that your power outage emergency kit should include are batteries, candles, matches, flashlights, bottled water, and non-perishable foods.

2. Utilize Surge Protectors

In addition to power outages, it is important to be prepared for power surges. Though these hazards often only last for a few milliseconds (or seconds at most), they can cause severe damage to appliances and other devices that are plugged in during the surge. To protect these devices, consider installing small surge protectors (power strips) for important outlets and invest in a whole-home surge protector to keep your appliances safe.

3. Exercise Caution with Zone Heaters

While zone heaters are the perfect way to keep certain rooms warm while consuming less power, they can pose a significant fire hazard if used incorrectly. Be sure to keep each zone heater at least 3 feet away from flammable materials such as curtains and blankets. It is also crucial to ensure that they are not in direct contact with carpets or nearby furniture. In addition to spacing considerations, zone heaters should always be plugged into a dedicated outlet, not an extension cord.

4. Consider Purchasing a Backup Generator

If you live in a remote area, your home could be without power for several days. A backup generator could provide power to key areas of your home—refrigerator, heaters, etc.—during prolonged outages. Consider purchasing a suitable unit for your home to ensure that you have power when you need it. If you currently own a generator, be sure that it is full of fuel and in good working order before winter.

To learn more about winter electrical safety or to inquire about our electrical services, get in touch with the team at Expert Electric. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.

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