While lights and decorations add cheer and brightness to the holiday season, they also require a lot of electricity. This, in turn, increases the risk of a malfunction or a fire. To keep your home and family safe, many electricians recommend the following best practices.

What Safety Precautions Should You Adhere to During the Holidays?

1. Inspect Decorations & Outlets

Always check your lights and equipment for damage before using them. Throw out anything with cracked sockets, loose wires, or uneven connections since these can lead to a shock or pose a fire hazard. Inspect your electrical outlets as well and have an electrician take a look if you notice they are burnt, cracked, or feel warm to the touch.

2. Limit the Use of Your Outlets

With so many lights and devices to power, it is easy to overload your home's electrical outlets. Therefore, spread out where you put decorations and institute a limit of only one-high wattage appliance per outlet. Utilizing safe power strips can also reduce the risk of overheating.

3. Be Careful With Your Lights

Never plug more than three strands of lights together. This can trip circuit breakers and cause a fire. Since LED lights use less energy than incandescent lights, they are safer and will also help save you money on holiday utility bills.

All lights should be kept several feet away from flammable items and protected from moisture. Plug outdoor decorations into ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), which will automatically shut off power when wet to prevent electrical shocks and fires. 

4. Limit Other Fire Hazards

If you are using a real Christmas tree, water it daily so that it doesn’t dry out. Dry pine needles can catch fire easily. You should also use battery-operated candles instead of real ones. Wax warmers are another safe alternative to candles that still produce wonderful scents. 

Make sure your electrical system is safe and ready to use for the holidays by having an electrician from Reinke's Heating Air Conditioning & Electrical perform an inspection. Based in Kearney, NE, these trained contractors have been serving the local community since 1970, performing maintenance, repairs, and new installations. Visit their website to learn more about their offerings. Call (308) 234-3003 with any questions.