An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
That’s what the Canada Safety Council says when it comes to holiday lighting safety for local residents in light of Home Fire Safety Week. It runs until Friday.
The Council has the following electrical safety tips to ensure a tragedy-free holiday season.
Don’t use damaged extension cords – Sometimes extension cords can get damaged from wear-and-tear. If an extension cord is damaged at the plug or on its sheathing, do not use the cord. The damage could be a risk for electrical shock and it is not recommended to repair with electrical tape which will not ensure safety in the long run.
Use timers on outdoor lights – Using timers for holiday lights is a great way to be environmentally conscious but ensures that lights will be on before you get home and turned off lights before bed. Holiday light timers could also save you money on your power bill. Turning off lights overnight prevents bulbs from overheating and your timer prevents this from slipping your mind.
Don’t plug-in more than one space heater into an outlet – Outlets can only handle one portable space heater. As soon as a secondary heater is plugged in, you risk tripping the breaker. Most home outlets are rated for only a single 12 amp or 1500 watt load. Check your space heater to make sure it doesn’t exceed this rating.
Plug outdoor lights into a ground-fault circuit interrupter – Most modern homes have GFCI outlets on exterior walls and in spaces close to water such as kitchens and bathrooms for indoor and outdoor equipment. The GFCI outlet trips when there is an electrical current on an unintended path- through water, for instance. Considering the wet conditions Parry Sound District will face in the coming months, make sure always plug lights into a GFCI outlet.
Hit the test and reset button – With respect to GFCI outlets, make sure you hit the test or reset button before plugging in your device. You want the GFCI to work to protect you from being electrocuted should there ever be an electrical fault. Consider doing this inside and out of the house at least once a month. It’s better to ensure protection is working long before you need it.