5 Fall Electrical Safety Tips

The weather is starting to cool off. As the temperature gets lower we begin depending more on electric appliances and the systems they control. To stay safe and comfortable this fall, follow these electrical safety tips from Skyline Electric.
To our team, the only thing more important than our service is your safety!

• Portable space heaters: It's that time of year when many of us start reaching for those space heaters to keep us warm and comfortable.  They can be an easy way to heat a room without having to use your heating system. Space heaters can also help save money on your heating bill when used to heat only the rooms that are being used. However, space heaters can be quite a safety hazard if not used properly.
  • ​Always make sure there is nothing flammable within 3 feet of your space heater
  • Never plug your space heater into an extension cord.
  • Space heaters draw a lot of power, make sure you are not overloading a circuit by having too many heaters on the same circuits. Make sure the circuit is correctly sized for the amount of heaters and other appliances being used.
  • Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.
• Electric Blankets: A great way to keep warm as long as they are used safely. Improper use of electric blankets can result in electric shock or fire.
  • ​Make sure the cord on your blanket is not frayed, cracked or cut. Replace if cord is in damaged.
  • Look for dark, charred or frayed spots on the blanket. Replace if signs of overheating are noticed.
  • Don not allow anything on top of the electric blanket when it is in use. When covered by anything (other blankets, pets or even folded) electric blankets may overheat and start on fire.
  • Heating appliances should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.
• Inspect your fall/winter appliances and tools: As we begin closing in on the holidays, many of us look forward to decorating our yards and homes. Make sure to check old tools, lights and fixtures.
  • ​Always use outdoor use extension cords designed to withstand the elements.
  • Check the cords on tools, lights and decorations for cracks, cuts or other forms of damage and replace if needed.
  • Always plug outdoor tools and lighting into GFCI outlets. GFCI outlets are crucial when it comes to electrical safety. They help prevent electrical fire and shock by cutting off the flow of electricity when it becomes unstable.
  • Keep ladders, tools or decorations away from overhead wires. 
• Inspect your outdoor electrical: As it cools off, we can see changes in the weather that may bring in more moisture, so it's a good idea to check for damage that may cause trouble.
  • ​Make sure your outdoor outlets have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection.
  • All your outlets should have a properly installed in-use "bubble" cover to protect the receptacles from the elements.
  • It is usually more difficult and expensive to service outdoor lighting in the winter (especially the hard to reach places) Check to make sure all your lighting (landscape, motion and standard outdoor) is working properly and sealed from the moisture.
  • Remove fallen leaves. as fun as they are to jump in. Dry leaves can easily catch fire if hit with a spark, keep dry leaf piles a safe distance from any electrical appliance, lighting or power source.
• Safely put away your summer tools and appliances: As exciting as it can be to get the holiday decorations out take the time to properly store your summer items away for the year.
  • ​check the cords on your tools for damage
  • unplug and safely store battery charges that won't be used again until spring.

Fall means it's time for pumpkins, sweatshirts and bon fires. It also means it's time to make sure your home's electrical system is ready to operate effectively and safely for the coming season. 
For fast, friendly service you can count on. Call Skyline Electric.