Key Takeaways
Fall electrical safety begins with you! Take time to test your smoke detectors, ensure your home’s outlets are in good condition, and examine all your power cords. Inspect space heaters, generators, and outdoor power tools to ensure they are safe and ready to use. If you have any issues or electrical questions, Capital City Comfort Solutions is here to assist!
As summer winds down, kids return to school, and the trees start turning color. You may be getting out your jackets and sweaters, and stocking up on other cold-weather essentials. With that in mind, we like to remind everyone that fall is a great time to review electrical safety in your home. Colder weather generally means more electrical use, so you need to make sure your outlets, power cords, smoke detectors, and generators are ready. Follow this fall electrical safety checklist to prepare your home for a safer season!
1. Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Colder weather means your family will be spending more time inside, and you may be using candles or putting your fireplace to use. While these make your home cozier in the fall, they also increase the risk of a fire. That’s why you need to make sure your smoke detectors are working correctly. Replace the batteries, if necessary, and test each detector. Go ahead and check your carbon monoxide detector, too. Consider replacing any detectors that are more than 10 years old.
2. Test Your GFCI Outlets
GFCI outlets, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, are the outlets with test and reset buttons on them. They are designed to shut off the power if there is a fault, which could keep you safe from an electrical shock. You typically find GFCI outlets in your kitchen, bathroom, and garage. If you have an outdoor outlet, it may also be a GFCI outlet with a cover over it. Fall is a good time to go around your home, press the test button on the outlets, and make sure they shut off the power. Then, press the reset button to restore power to the outlet. If they don’t work, give Capital City Comfort Solutions a call.
3. Make Sure Your Space Heaters are Being Used Properly
Space heaters come in handy during the cooler fall days, but if they are used carelessly, they can be a fire hazard. Ensure your space heater’s cord is not frayed and is plugged into a wall outlet, not an extension cord. Keep the space heater at least three feet away from anything flammable, such as paper, bed sheets, or floor rugs. Never run the cord under a rug. Also, make sure everyone in your household knows that the space heater should be turned off and unplugged when being left unattended.
4. Inspect the Electrical Cords in Your Home
The more things you plug into your home’s outlets, the greater the chance you have of overloading your circuits and causing a fire. Make sure you are using power strips that have surge protection on them. Never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. Go around your home and take a look at all your outlets, checking if they are loose, damaged, or feel warm to the touch. Also, inspect your power cords, looking for frayed or damaged cords. If you have pets, you may need to look carefully for any cords that have been chewed on. Replace any damaged cords, and call us for help if you notice any damaged outlets.
5. Check Your Home’s Exterior Lights
As the days get shorter, you’ll be using your home’s exterior lighting more often. Right now is a good time to inspect your exterior lights to make sure they still work. Replace any burned-out bulbs and wipe cobwebs and other debris away from the lights. Also, check to see that your motion-sensor lights still work.
6. Inspect the Outdoor Tools You Use in Fall
When the leaves begin to fall, you’ll be getting out your leaf blower. Before the leaf season officially begins, take out your leaf blower and other power tools that you use outdoors in the fall, and see if they are in good condition. Damaged power tools are not safe to use. They should be replaced or fixed. You will also want to look at the cords on your outdoor power tools to make sure they are not frayed.
7. Ensure Your Backup Power is Ready to Go
If you have a backup generator, it’s time to test it! You want to be sure you can keep your home warm and powered up during any cold-weather power outages. Your generator should be safely connected to your transfer switch. You may need to change the oil and check the fuel level. Always store extra fuel in a safe place. If you don’t remember how to use your backup generator, go over the manufacturer’s guidelines so you can safely use it if there is a power emergency.
Ensure Fall Electrical Safety for Your Home
Capital City Comfort Solutions is here for all your home electrical needs in the Richmond, VA area. If you need any repairs or maintenance done to your home’s electrical system, let us know right away. We can also upgrade your electrical panel, install more outdoor lighting, and do electrical troubleshooting. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a service.