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Holiday Safety Tips to Avoid Electrical Dangers
Skip an electrical emergency this holiday season with these important safety precautions.Written by Dominique Sabins
Edited by Aviva Hauser
Last updated 12/20/2024
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Holiday home safety tips
While the holidays are a magical time for many, they can also bring more electrical dangers into your home. Numerous lights and decorations around the house put a strain on your electrical load and could lead to unwanted hazards. This, combined with the use of heating in the winter, increases the chance of accidents. Read up on our holiday electrical tips to keep your home and family safe this holiday season.
How to avoid electrical accidents
Follow these electrical safety tips during the holidays so you can enjoy your decorations without an emergency.
- Don’t overload outlets. It might be tempting to plug in as many lights and decorations as possible for the holiday season, but overloading an electrical outlet can lead to a fire. Consider using a surge protector to help monitor the capacity of your outlets and prevent electrical dangers.
- Read the instructions. Certain lights are rated for indoor use, while others are rated for outdoor use. Read these instructions carefully to ensure that you use your string lights correctly.
- Check decorations for damage. Make sure any electrical decorations, such as string lights, don’t have cracked or damaged wires. If mishandled, damaged wires could cause electrical shock or a fire. Never place cords near a heat source.
- Water your tree. A dry Christmas tree poses a serious fire hazard. Regularly water your tree to keep it moist and reduce the chance of it catching fire.
- Unplug decorations. Unplug your decorations before you go to bed or leave the house to limit the chances of a fire. This will also help you cut back on your energy usage.
- Clean electrical sockets. First, cut off power to the outlet through your electrical breaker. Then, use a vacuum or damp rag to clean any dust or debris around the outlet. Don’t get water inside the prong holes and make sure everything is dry before restoring power.
Preventing fire hazards
Keep in mind a few additional fire hazards that exist in the wintertime:
- Space heaters. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials, including holiday decorations.
- Use battery-operated candles. While candles may smell nice, they are an added fire hazard in the house. Switch to battery-operated candles during the holiday season to lower your fire risk.
- Maintain your fireplace. Clean your chimney or fireplace before the winter season to ensure it is clear of debris and ready for use. This will help minimize the chance of an accident.
What to do in the event of electrical danger
Prepare in advance for an electrical fire. Know the location of your fire extinguisher and how to operate it. Remember to regularly check your fire extinguisher to ensure it is not expired. Call 911 and quickly evacuate your entire household if there is a fire.
SaveOnEnergy’s bonus holiday safety tips
With so many more electrical devices running during the holidays, ensuring everything operates properly is more important than ever. Our energy experts recommend preparing your home for the holidays by checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices can catch many fires and accidents before they happen.
Finally, when everyone has gone home, the food has been eaten, and the holidays are over, give your holiday lights and decorations one last inspection for any signs of deterioration. Be sure to store everything safely and securely in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. This will increase their longevity and reduce the risk of a fire hazard next year.