As the holiday season approaches, Seattle City Light wants all of its customers to celebrate the season in a safe, efficient manner. Here are a few electrical safety tips that you can take to ensure you and your family have a safe and festive holiday season. As the holidays approach, Seattle City Light wants all of its customers to celebrate the season in a safe, efficient manner. Here are a few electrical safety tips that you can use to ensure you and your family have a safe and festive holiday season.
- Clean your electric oven and stove top before you plan your feast for the holidays. Built up grease or dust on electric and gas stove tops, as well as inside the oven, can become a fire hazard.
- Check to see if you have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets in places where water can come in contact with plugs. GFCIs are placed on most bathroom outlets and can detect ground currents or leakage currents that could shock someone. Learn more about these outlets and how to test them here.
- Before setting up any holiday lights or outside decor, make sure your extension cords and electric decorations are designed for outdoor use. Devices will be clearly marked for outdoor use, otherwise play it safe and keep them indoors. And again – make sure your outlets are protected by GFCIs.
- Even if a cord is designed for outdoor use, keep them out of standing water. Water and electricity are a never a good mix and should always be avoided.
- Do not staple or nail electric extension cords. There are many damage-free cord clips that can secure cords to walls and baseboards.
- Never leave electrical decorations turned on when you are asleep or away from your home. The lights look beautiful in the night, but it isn’t worth the very real fire risk.
- Make sure that your outlets are not overloaded with decor or cooking appliances. Attaching too many devices can cause overheating and lead to an outlet fire.
- If you have a live Christmas tree, make sure you water it every day and dispose of it when it dries up. Christmas tree fires cause more than $17 million in damage every year.
- As always, be careful of the power lines! Your extravagant decor should always stay far away from any power lines.
- The last, but most important tip: HAVE FUN! Holidays are a great time to enjoy with your family and friends.
Remember these important tips as you continue to celebrate the holiday season.
For additional tips and resources, visit Seattle City Light’s Electrical Safety website.