Halloween Decor Electrical Safety
An electrical fire is the wrong kind of scary for Halloween decorating! Halloween decorating with inflatables, lights, and electric yard decor can be fun and safe when done responsibly. Homeowners can use these three tips from electrical experts to practice good electrical safety when decorating for Halloween this year.
Whether going all out for Halloween or just putting up a few simple decorations, homeowners should always take safety precautions to ensure their decorations are not an electrical hazard. Using the wrong type of electrical decorations outdoors can be a safety hazard because water and electricity do not mix well. Putting too much strain on the home’s electrical system can also cause dangerous power surges.
Inspect Halloween Inflatables and Lights
Before plugging in any Halloween decorations, even if they are brand new from the store, homeowners should inspect them for any signs of damage. The decoration could be unexpectedly damaged in storage by rodents or water. Plugging in decorations with damaged cords could cause an accidental electrical shock.
Homeowners should pay attention to signs of faulty wiring, such as sparks, a burning smell, or flickering lights coming from the decoration. Ignoring the warning signs of damaged electrical Halloween decorations could come back to haunt homeowners. Larger decorations that use more electricity should always be carefully inspected for safety before use.
Be Strategic When Plugging In Halloween Decorations
Homeowners need to be strategic about where they plug in their Halloween decorations. Outlets and power strips should never be overloaded, and power strips should not be plugged into another power strip. Overloading can cause an electrical fire.
Homeowners should also be careful about plugging in outdoor decorations. Yard decorations will be exposed to rain, wind, and other weather that could be hazardous if water reaches the electrical wiring. To avoid an electrical emergency, homeowners should only use yard decorations designed to be placed outdoors.
Plugging yard decorations into the right kind of outlet is also essential for electrical safety. GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) electrical outlets are required outdoors and in rooms with water sources to protect residents from electrocution. Outdoor outlets need to be covered from the rain and kept free of debris.
Surge Protectors
Overloading the electrical outlets by plugging in too many decorations can be a safety hazard. When too much electricity is in the home’s electrical system, the circuits can overheat and cause an electrical fire. The home’s breaker box will typically shut off power to the house to prevent a fire.
Having too many electrical decorations plugged in at once can cause the breaker to flip. So how can homeowners safely go all out with Halloween decorations without causing a power surge? Using surge protectors to plug in Halloween decorations helps prevent electricity from overloading outlets.
Homeowners can install whole-home surge protectors to protect their homes from power surges. There are also plug-in surge protectors that can be added to outlets. Homeowners should consult a trusted local electrician for personalized opinions on what type of outlets and surge protectors are the best for their home safety.
About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air
Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has over 30 years of experience serving its neighbors in Port St. Lucie, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide upfront pricing, on-time arrival, and personal attention. Call them today for electrical services in Port St. Lucie, FL.