National Home Warranty Day was last week, so it’s an ideal time to take steps to protect your home from excessive wear and tear with a home warranty. Homeowners can guard against the unexpected with specific personal insurance policies. Keep your home safe and warm this winter with these critical electrical safety tips arranged in a handy checklist.
Outside Power Lines and Electric Components
Ensure Your Power Lines are Clear
Heavy snow and storms can cause trees or heavy branches to fall onto energized power lines. If you see any trees that could interfere with your electricity supply or pose a fire risk, contact your utility company or a private electrical contractor with tree-trimming services to address the problem and ensure your property and home are safe.
Find and Label Your Breakers
If you haven’t been to your electrical panel recently, now is the time to re-familiarize yourself with the unit. Label what area of the house each breaker controls so it is easier to flip the right switch if a circuit blows.
Inspect and Protect Electrical Panels and Outlets
Take a brisk walk around your property and check all outdoor panels, outlets, or junction boxes are protected from the elements. Water from melting snow and ice can pose a shock hazard, and dirt and debris will eventually erode exposed electrical elements. Replace any missing covers as needed to protect these external parts of your setup.
Shield Equipment from Snow and Ice
If you have larger equipment outdoors, such as ventilation units, lighting fixtures, or wiring, be sure they are shielded with waterproof covers. Inspect any outdoor wiring for damage and get any wires showing wear replaced immediately.
Run Any Generators Outside
A generator can be a lifesaver in case of a power outage. Gas-powered generators produce toxic fumes like carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless killer. If you are running a generator, be sure it is located outside and adequately ventilated. You can use an open outdoor shed to keep snow off the system. When using extension cords, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines; don’t overload what the cord is rated for.
Your Home’s Electrical Safety: Inside
Watch for Water Leaks
Water near electrical systems increases the possibility of shock or fire due to the extreme conductivity of water. Inspect the roof, basement, and areas prone to water intrusions to find leaks before they lead to an electrical fire.
Check Your Electrical Cords
The use of extension cords increases during the cold weather season. Space heaters, electric blankets, holiday lights, air purifiers, and other electrically powered items may be used. Inspecting extension and electrical cords on heaters and other electrically powered units yearly is essential to ensure no cords show any wear and tear. Replace all cords that pose a risk of fire due to wear.
Avoid Overloading a Single-Circuit
Each circuit in your home delivers a specific amount of electrical energy. If you use a power strip, be mindful of how many appliances or devices you plug into the unit. Spread high-powered appliances to different circuits or only plug in one appliance at a time to avoid tripping a breaker or causing an electrical fire due to circuit overloading.
Understand Space Heater Safety
Never leave a space heater unattended. The U.S. Department of Energy records about 25,000 house fires related to space heaters yearly. If you need a space heater to stay comfortable, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure the unit is placed a safe distance from blankets, drapes, and other items that could ignite. Any space heater used in the home should have a shut-off feature that activates if the unit is knocked over. Check the cord and plug powering the heater. If it is hot to the touch, immediately move the heater to another outlet. Then, recheck the unit. If the cord remains hot, replace the heater.
Test Your Detection Alarms: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide
Regular testing of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm can give you peace of mind and alert you to smoke or carbon monoxide. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years as a minimum, and batteries should be replaced yearly. The batteries need replacement if you hear a high-pitched chirping noise.
Stay Safe, Warm, and Secure This Season
This checklist will help you and your loved ones stay safe and warm with a properly functioning electrical system. A personal insurance policy can be a lifesaver for more protection from various risks. Your home warranty and personal insurance provide security and peace of mind, so you are confident you and your family are protected from fire. Contact our agents today to see how the right home insurance policy can benefit you by protecting the safety of your home.