Get Your Home's Electrical Ready for Fall

As the weather grows colder and the days become shorter, people rely more on electrical products. With a surge in electricity usage, here are a few precautions to consider to make this the best (and safest) fall/winter yet!

Inspect Your Equipment

There are more fatal house fires during the coldest months of the year. With increased electricity usage, it’s important to make sure that your equipment is up to date. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, the most common fire-starting equipment are outdated fuse boxes, faulty electrical pads, and damaged wiring. Only a trained electrician can conduct a proper diagnosis, so make sure to call one as soon as you can for an electrical inspection.

Warm Your Pipes

Have you ever been unable to take a shower due to frozen pipes? Sounds like you need some heat tape. This electrically charged protective layer keeps your pipes protected. Simply follow the instructions on the heat tape and you can take showers during the winter without worry.

Weatherproof Boxes for Outdoor Outlets

Small traces of water, no matter how much, can cause a short circuit when in contact with outdoor outlets. That’s where weatherproof boxes come in. These are small “boxes” meant to protect sensitive outlets from severe weather conditions.

Check Your Holiday Lights

Decorating the house during the holiday season is tradition to many households, but did you know these beautiful lights could cause some ugly accidents? You can avoid this by checking the wiring for any kind of tears. Additionally, if you’re hanging lights on a real tree, make sure the tree isn’t completely dry or you might have unwanted lights, like a fire, added to your tree.

Unplug When You Leave The House

In a similar vein, if you plan to go on an extended trip, be sure to unplug any electrical equipment before you leave. This can prevent an electrical fire occurring while you're gone, ensuring a stress-free vacation on account of your home's electrical.

Octopi Can Go Awry

“Octopus connections” is a term used to reference an outlet with multiple plugs plugged in. Overloading the circuit with too many multiple plugs can cause an electrical fire. Decreasing the amount of plugs depending on one socket will prevent overloading the circuit, keeping your house safe.

Need more help with electrical safety? Give Butler Electric a call at 616-643-8287.