Winter … The season that brings snowmen, hot chocolate and shorter days, can also bring potentially overworked heating systems and outlets for your home. Be mindful of current overloading and damaged wires, which can lead to fires and power outages. When the thermometer dips into freezing, is your house ready & safe? We’ve created an easy electrical maintenance checklist so that you can make sure you’re ready to go when the chill hits!
Electrical Panel
Okay first off, do you know where this is? If you need to reset any tripped switches, you’ll need to do it from your electrical panel, so it’s a good thing to know the location in general and most definitely in case of a power outage. Also, make sure that the switches are properly labeled for each room. Keeping extra batteries and a flashlight handy, just in case of an outage, is also a great tip.
Generator
A backup generator is always a great thing to have in case of a power failure or outage. You’ll want to run your generator for at least 20 minutes a month during the winter to ensure its working properly. Also, make sure to have it installed and inspected by your electrical professional for any components that might need to be repaired or replaced.
Wiring
Make sure you’ve inspected all plugs, extension cords, sockets and any other wiring for wear & tear. Are there burned-out spots or frays? Replace them if so because using these can trigger a fire or another dangerous electrical problem.
Turn them off!
Do you leave items like laptops, space heaters, kitchen appliances and televisions on when you go to bed? Powering down at night or on vacation not only helps reduce monthly heating costs, but it also decreases any chances of short circuit failures that could lead to fires. Win/Win!
