Get Ready For the Holidays!
August is always met with mixed emotions. For parents, August means the beginning of school and time to—even though you dearly love them—get the kids out of the house! August is also usually that last hurrah of summer activities before fall’s cooler weather begins to set in. Fall also brings the beginning of holiday festivities and the colorful and sometimes extremely extravagant decorating that comes with it. In our last several blogs, we began discussing the basics about electrical panels. Today, we will be talking about everything you need to do to prepare your electrical system for the lights and other decorations that you will be plugging into your outlets for Halloween and other fall festivities.
Holiday Electrical Safety
Check Your Decorations
Whether you are getting ready to pull out that scary decoration that makes all the neighborhood kids scream in fright or you are preparing to reinstall your favorite fall wreath with twinkle lights, it’s always best to examine the electrical elements of each decoration that you are preparing to set out before plugging them in. Check each cord to make sure that it is fully intact; check for fraying, tears, and other damage. If the cord appears damaged, discontinue use and either repair it or replace it entirely. It could be time to retire that twenty-year-old decoration and invest in something new to delight or excite terror.
Check Your Extension Cords
As you check your indoor and outdoor decorations, you should also inspect the extension cords that you will be using within and without your home. Check your electrical cords for fraying, tears, or exposed parts. If only part of the electrical cord works, it may be time to throw it out and invest in a new one: Extension cords are incredibly less expensive compared to electrical damage or a house fire.
Test Your Outlets
You should also test the outlets that you will be using. Most outlets and particularly those that are outdoors will have a GFI circuit. GFI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. The purpose of GFIs is to protect your home’s electrical grid from overload and other dangerous electrical phenomena. Each of your outlets with a GFI will have two buttons that read “TEST” and “RESET.” Before you plug in in your decorations or extensions cords, check each outlet, by pressing the TEST button. To test, plug in an item and press the test button. If you hear a “snap’” noise and the power is cut to that outlet, you can rest assured that your GFI is working.
Plan Ahead for Holiday Electrical Safety
This is the conclusion to part one of our blog series about home holiday safety. It may be only August, but it’s a smart time to start preparing for the holidays. Why? If you have an older home or plan to go big with your decorations, your electrical system needs to be ready. Many systems can’t handle the extra load that holiday lights and decor require. If you’re unsure whether yours can, or if you just want peace of mind, now is the time to call a local electrician in Colorado Springs. That way, you’ll be ready when the holiday season arrives. Continue Reading Part 2 >>
Looking for a Local Electrician?
Are you in need of a local electrician? Contact Front Range Electric! Our electricians serve the Colorado Springs area and can help you with all your electrical needs. When preparing for the holidays, some of our clients find they need a slight repair to their electrical system. In other cases, they need a complete remodel and an electrical panel upgrade. Visit our services page to learn more about us and the services we provide!