The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful times of the year, but when improper electrical holiday light etiquette occurs, things can get dangerous fast. Loose connections, warm outlets, and flickering lights are all abnormal situations that require immediate attention from an electrician. If you notice melted outlet covers, scorched outlets, and buzzing sounds, call the experienced electricians from AC by J today!
In the meantime, get a list of holiday electrical safety tips and check it twice! Rely on the electricians at AC by J to keep your home and family prepared this holiday season.
What Are Some Holiday Electrical Emergency Warning Signs?
You might be wondering what constitutes an actual holiday electrical emergency. These can vary but will most likely include warning signs that you need to look out for. These can be circumstances where your holiday lights or decorations are at risk of shorting, catching on fire, or electrocuting those around them. Take great precautions when adorning your home or lawn with decorations, and use these indicators to alert you when a potential holiday electrical emergency could be imminent.
If you notice your holiday decorations have frayed wires or faulty prongs, it’s best to retire these and not try to retrofit or DIY repair them into your holiday display this year. Notice when your holiday string lights are fraying because of high temperatures or ravaged by pests when stored in the attic. Using string lights with damaged cords could run the risk of an electrical short. Likewise, if you notice your holiday decorations flickering or buzzing when plugged in, it’s not wise to use them. If using incandescent lights, avoid connecting multiple strings of holiday lights. Consider using LED lights instead.
Overcrowding is a considerable risk when it comes to displaying holiday lights. When you overload your electrical system, you put a strain on your electrical system. Too many holiday electrical decorations could cause your circuit breaker to trip or cause a fire hazard. Additionally, overcrowding your tree with lights is not a good idea. Don’t leave your holiday lights on all night, and if you’re opting to use a live tree this year, avoid letting it dry out, as this is a significant fire risk. Also, don’t forget that when affixing lights and decorations to your home on a ladder, use proper precautions and don’t nail holiday lights into your home, as this could damage the wires.
Don’t Panic During a Holiday Electrical Emergency
We hope that you take proactive steps to avoid electrical emergencies during the holidays. Still, if you find yourself staring down faulty string lights, overcrowded holiday decorations, or someone else not following electrical safety guidelines or best practices, it’s essential to be prepared. Don’t panic and take a calm approach to handling emergencies that involve electricity. Be sure you’re ready with electrical safety knowledge and first aid practices related to electrical emergencies. Know when to call 911 or emergency services and follow their directions. Take every precaution before an electrical emergency strikes, and use the following scenarios to get you started.
Loss of Electricity from Too Many Holiday Decorations
Are you experiencing a loss of power when you try to plug in holiday lights or decorations? If your breaker is constantly tripping, it may not be able to keep up with the flow of power you’re expecting from it. Maybe you’ve noticed that some outlets in your home are loose, not outputting correctly, or are just not working. Don’t just hope for the best or ignore these signs that you need proactive electrical repair before any worse scenarios occur.
Call an experienced electrician to do a thorough inspection of your home’s electrical system to get to the bottom of your issues. Right now, all you’re experiencing is either a tripping circuit breaker or a faulty outlet. Still, problems could worsen down the road, and wiring could deteriorate, leading to a much more caustic electrical emergency. Don’t attempt to repair these issues yourself, or just reset the breaker every time it trips. Save yourself time and money now by enlisting the help of a trained professional.
Electrical Fire From Holiday Decorations
Electrical fires can occur when using holiday decorations that are damaged, faulty, or overcrowding a circuit, causing them to short or spark. They could also occur when using holiday decorations with a faulty outlet that is sparking or buzzing or when the wires in your home need to be replaced. Notice signs of sparking or burning smells that prelude a full-blown electrical fire. These should be cause for concern.
When an electrical emergency occurs, such as an electrical fire, always call emergency services, like 911. If it’s safe to turn off the electricity to your home, do so. Ensure everyone gets out of the affected building and area and waits for emergency services to arrive. Be sure you have the correct type of fire extinguisher to handle electrical fires properly. Check the label of your home’s fire extinguisher and be sure it is equipped to handle electrical fires. These commonly are carbon dioxide or dry powder, typically class C extinguishers.
Electrocution From Holiday Decorations
Hanging lights and decorations on your home for the holidays is a joyous occasion and should be done with care and concern for the electrical current running through them. When you overcrowd your holiday decorations or lights, you can cause a short circuit with electrocution risks. Determine whether you have Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters installed in your home. These are devices that are designed to stop the flow of electricity if they detect an imbalance between the amount of electricity entering and exiting the circuit. They can help prevent electrocution, electric shock, and burns. Additionally, ask an electrician about Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters, which detect electrical arcs that can cause electrical fires.
If someone has been electrocuted because of contact with faulty lights or wiring, it’s important to remove them from the flow of electrical circuits. This can be accomplished by turning off the electricity, if possible, or using a non-conductive device (such as a wooden or plastic broom handle or rope of some kind) to get them away from the electricity. Call emergency services and begin surveying the person who was electrocuted to determine the appropriate first aid, such as CPR, if you’re trained to do that. It’s imperative that you call an electrician soon after to inspect and investigate the source of the electrical malfunction to ensure it does not happen again.
Get Expert Advice on Holiday Lights Ahead of Time
Before you climb on a ladder or string up some lights, consider getting professional advice on hanging holiday decorations. Determine if you need an electrical inspection to have your outlets tested or your electrical panel looked at. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to hanging holiday lights. Plus, talking with an electrician can give you more inspiration on where and how to put up the decorations.
At AC by J we provide 24/7 emergency electrical services to make sure your family is protected against electrical hazards. When you call on us to perform emergency electrical services, you can expect us to disconnect any dangerous currents, remove any bare, wet, or loose live wires, identify and repair connections, and repair overheating outlets, wires, and switches.
Since 1983, we’ve been serving homes in Scottsdale, AZ, with superior electrical services. We provide electrical panel upgrades to give you access to the output of power you require safely. We’ll also inspect the electrical system at your home and give you honest advice on how it can be maintained or improved.
Ready to safely decorate your home for the holiday season? Keep electrical emergencies away when you partner with AC by J. Call our electricians today!
