Around the holidays, electricians receive numerous service calls due to higher numbers of decorative lights and overall increased electricity use. Your family can avoid calling for emergency assistance by following safety protocols while decorating this winter. Here are four pieces of advice that will bring peace of mind during this season.

Stay Safe Over the Winter Holidays With These Electrical Tips

1. Don’t Overload Outlets or Cords

Many people enjoy hanging holiday lights to brighten up their homes inside and out. This means needing more electricity than usual. Make sure that you’re not overloading the power outlets, circuits, or cords by inserting only as many plugs as the number of plugin-points. Don’t jerry-rig any electronics by removing prongs to make them fit outlets. If you need to move a string of lights to another cord or outlet, do so to avoid overloading the system where you’ll need an electrician to fix the issue. 

2. Turn Off Lit Decorations

It’s easy to fall asleep with all the Christmas lights, on but this can pose a fire hazard. If you frequently forget to unplug outdoor or indoor lights, consider installing a timer on the plug to shut them off after a certain number of hours.

3. Follow Indoor Versus Outdoor Directions

Make sure you’re using the appropriate lights for inside and outside your home. Exterior lights are made to handle winter weather and have longer life spans when used as intended. These lights tend to burn hotter than indoor ones and therefore can pose a danger to your home if they are used indoors. Lights that are labeled for inside use burn at a lower temperature, making them perfect for hanging on the Christmas tree or decorating the mantel. Many electricians recommend using LED lights for all decorative uses thanks to their improved safety ratings and better energy efficiency.

4. Water Your Tree

Real Christmas trees can quickly become dry and brittle, making them susceptible to catching fire. Make sure to water real trees to keep them hydrated and reduce the risk of your tree going up in flames. 

If you’re looking for a talented team of electricians to prepare your home for the extra holiday electricity use contact Doug Mapstone, Inc. in Onondaga County, NY. Their expert technicians have more than 20 years of experience satisfying customers and handle everything from heating and air conditioning to 24/7 electricity and furnace repairs. Call (315) 682-7181 or visit the website for information on their services.