As winter approaches and temperatures drop, Chester County homeowners will depend heavily on their heating systems. This increased usage can strain electrical systems, leading to hazards such as overworked circuits or outdated equipment. Preventing these issues is crucial for maintaining electrical safety throughout the colder months.
Why Winter Poses More Electrical Risks
Your home’s heating system works tirelessly to keep your home safe, warm, and comfortable during the coldest months of the year. The only problem is that running a heating system non-stop can come with increased electrical risks, including:
- Overloaded circuits caused by simultaneously running heaters, holiday lights, and other appliances.
- Dust accumulation or neglected maintenance that leads to overheating.
- Frayed or otherwise damaged cords, plugs, and wiring prone to causing electrical fires.
The good news is that while these electrical hazards can be dangerous, all you have to do to prevent them is seek out professional electrical inspection services and keep up with routine heating system maintenance.
Heating System Safety Tips for Winter
Maintaining a safe and efficient heating system is about more than just comfort. It’s about keeping you and your family safe throughout the entire winter. So, if you’re serious about residential electrical safety, here are some heating system safety tips that you can use to guarantee safe home heating all winter long.
Schedule Professional Heating System Maintenance
One of the easiest ways to stay safe this winter is to keep up with your heating system maintenance. Heating systems go through a lot of wear and tear during the winter, calling a professional to come check up on your heating system before it gets too cold is all it takes to prevent costly breakdowns and potential electrical hazards.
Inspect Space Heaters and Electric Blankets
From space heaters to electric blankets, your home’s main heating system probably isn’t the only thing you rely on to stay warm in the winter. If you plan on using any of these this winter, be sure to check plugs and cords for any signs of damage, and never leave space heaters on and unattended.
Avoid Overloading Circuits
With so much extra demand for power during the winter, it can be easy to overload circuits if you aren’t paying attention. If you find yourself plugging in extra heating appliances this winter, try to spread them out across different outlets throughout your home and use surge protectors, just in case.
Maintain Safe Clearance Around Heating Equipment
Another essential heating system safety tip is to ensure the area in front of your heaters is clear and free from furniture or debris. Heaters produce a lot of heat, and if something dry and flammable is nearby, it has the potential to cause a fire. This means that it’s incredibly important to always be mindful of where your heaters are located and clear the space accordingly.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
If all else fails, your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may be the only warning you have before things get really dangerous. While these detectors are essential to your safety all year round, the increased risks that come along with winter make testing these essential safety measures even more important.
The Importance of Regular Electrical Inspections
Electrical systems are complex, and even the most careful homeowners are bound to miss hidden electrical issues. From tattered wiring and overloaded circuits to faulty connections and outdated electrical outlets, extra electrical strain during winter can bring these hazards to their breaking point.
Catching these problems before they have the chance to cause damage is key to maintaining a safe environment at home, and the best way to do that is by going to a professional for help. Professional electrical inspection services will be able to meticulously check every inch of your electrical system, ensuring that if you have any potential problem areas, you’ll have plenty of time to repair them before something bad happens.
Electrical Fire Prevention Best Practices
When it comes to residential electrical safety, electrical fires are the worst-case scenario. All it takes is one faulty circuit or exposed wire, and you could have an out-of-control fire on your hands in minutes.
Preventing electrical fires is all about being as diligent and careful as possible, so here are a few extra electrical fire prevention tips that every homeowner should know.
- Never run cords under rugs or furniture to avoid overheating.
- Avoid daisy-chaining power strips.
- Unplug power-hungry appliances when not in use.
- Only use UL-listed heating equipment.
Adhering to these simple rules can go a long way to reducing your risk of electrical fires and improving the overall safety and efficiency of your home.
DIY Checks vs. Professional Maintenance
It makes sense that many homeowners would want to take a more DIY approach to winter electrical safety. However, while the average homeowner can absolutely conduct important safety checks like inspecting cords and keeping areas around heaters clear and free of dust, most simply don’t have the expertise to conduct a comprehensive electrical inspection.
The best winter electrical safety routine should undoubtedly include a DIY component, but that doesn’t mean that you should skip the professional inspection. Going to a professional electrician is the only way to ensure that your home will be safe and comfortable throughout the entire winter season.
Winter Home Safety Checklist
Are you looking for something a bit more concise? If so, here is a quick winter home safety checklist that you can save or write down to ensure your safety this winter.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Inspect space heaters and electrical blanket cords for damage.
- Clean vents and replace heating system air filters.
- Check outdoor wiring and holiday lights for frayed cords.
- Schedule a comprehensive electrical inspection with a professional electrician.
Contact New London Electric Today
Want to ensure that your home is safe and ready for winter? Give us a call or contact us on our website, newlondonelectric.com. Our team of friendly electrical experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily help you ensure that your electrical systems are in tip-top shape for winter. We can even help you schedule a professional electrical inspection at a time that’s most convenient for you.
Don’t ignore your electrical needs until it’s too late. Contact New London Electric and guarantee the safety of your electrical systems this winter today!
