Christmas time is here

Christmas is here, bringing with it beautiful lights, decorations, and often, an increased strain on our home's electrical system. We want to ensure your holidays are bright, warm, and, most importantly, safe.

Preventing Overloaded Electrical Systems

Adding holiday lighting and plugging in new electronics can push your home's electrical system to its limits. Overloading circuits is a major fire hazard. Here’s how to keep your home safe:

• Mind Your Circuits:

  • Know which outlets are on the same circuit. Try to distribute your decorations across different circuits to avoid concentrating the load in one area. If lights flicker or a breaker trips, you've overloaded that circuit.

• The 80% Rule:

  • A circuit should not continuously operate at more than 80% to 90% of its rated capacity. For a standard 15-amp circuit, that means drawing no more than 12-13.5 amps. Using modern, energy efficient LED lights is the single best way to stay well below this limit.

• Avoid "Daisy Chaining" Extension Cords:

  • Never plug one extension cord into another, this increases resistance and the risk of fire. Use heavy duty extension cords rated for the total amperage you are drawing.

  • Always check the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label on all electrical products, including lights and extension cords, to ensure they meet safety standards.

• Space Heaters and High-Wattage Devices:

  • When the weather turns cold, space heaters are popular, but they draw a massive amount of power. They should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet never into an extension cord or power strip.

Safe Outdoor Decorating (Weatherproofing)

Outdoor holiday decor is amazing! But it also exposes your electrical system to the elements. Here's how to properly weatherproof your connections:

• Use Only Outdoor Rated Gear:

  • Only use lights, extension cords, and decorations specifically labeled for "Outdoor Use." These items are built with thicker insulation and more durable materials to withstand moisture and temperature changes.

• Turn Off When Away: Always turn off all indoor and outdoor decorations when you leave the house or go to sleep. A simple outdoor rated timer can automate this process and save money too!

• Protect Your Connections:

  • All connections between light strings and extension cords must be kept dry. Use weatherproof plastic covers or "safety seals" over outdoor plugs and connectors to shield them from rain and snow.

• GFCI Protection is Non Negotiable:

  • All outdoor outlets should be GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected. A GFCI outlet can sense a tiny change in current (like if water gets into the circuit) and will trip the power instantly, preventing electrocution. If you don't have GFCI outlets outside, call a licensed electrician immediately to install them.

• Inspect Before You Install:

  • Before you hang anything, take the time to inspect all wiring. Discard any strings of lights or cords with cracked insulation, frayed wires, or broken sockets. Damaged wires are exposed wires, and they are extremely dangerous when wet

    
    

We wish you a safe and joyful holiday season! If you have any concerns about your home's electrical capacity or need professional help installing GFCI outlets, don't hesitate to give us a call at (801)-472-5735

Joke Time:

What do gingerbread men use when they break their legs?………….. Candy canes!