Holiday safety tips are must have when preparing your home or office for the holiday decorating season.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. It can also be the most disastrous time of the year if your building is plagued with electrical problems. At McCauley Electrical Service we want to make sure you are equipped with the proper knowledge while you deck the halls. Check out the following helpful holiday safety tips before the stockings are strung by the chimney with care.
The Christmas duck with all the trimmings may be delicious, but if it gets over cooked, would you know? Having smoke alarms that work properly can save your kitchen from a fire. Staying in the kitchen while food is cooking is also helpful. Go around the house and test the smoke alarms before the cooking begins. You want to enjoy the feast with family, not throw it away. You should also keep doorways and entrances free of any objects so exits are clear in case an emergency occurs.
It’s not the holidays without a Christmas light display. Even Louie the Lightning Bug agrees that you should avoid overloading electrical outlets, which can lead to an electrical fire. Do not connect more than three strands of incandescent lights. Adding more lights can blow a fuse or cause a fire. If you use an extension cord, make sure it isn’t in a doorway where someone could trip and fall. Keep in mind the lights give off some heat, so they should be at least three feet away from heat sources like space heaters. Dad spent hours untangling the lights so the family can look in awe and the neighbors can envy the glow; however, you should unplug all decorations before leaving home or turning in for the night. Other ways to avoid fires include making sure all outdoor decorations are weatherproof. If you have a live Christmas tree, keep it watered daily as they can become very dry. Maybe you like placing simple decorations on display, like a candle burning in the window. If so, try using battery operated candles to capture that holiday twinkle.
We’re heading into the winter season within the next few weeks, so the heating system needs a check first. Make sure your filter is new and clean for the best air flow. Space heaters should be in low traffic areas and turned off when not attended. Keep them out of damp areas and away from flammable liquids. You can call on an electrical contractor, such as McCauley Electrical Service, to check your outlets before using a space heater. If the fire is more delightful for you, make sure you never leave that open flame burning unattended as well. Now you know how to survive the holiday season. Happy Holidays!