{"id":6934,"date":"2022-01-01T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2022-01-01T17:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bpmelectric.com\/?p=6934"},"modified":"2021-12-29T11:59:37","modified_gmt":"2021-12-29T19:59:37","slug":"winter-electrical-hazards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/174.142.205.70\/~bpmelectric\/winter-electrical-hazards\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safeguard Your Home Against Electrical Hazards This Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Along with the chilly weather and frosty mountain peaks, winter is a great time to curl up in your home with an oversized blanket and hot chocolate. While you avoid the brisk weather of the outdoors, you may want to pay some extra attention to your electrical safety. As you increase your use of heaters and other appliances, winter can be a prime time for home electrical hazards. Fortunately, there are simple measures you can take to ensure your home is prepared for Vancouver\u2019s cold season\u2026<\/p>\n

1. Check Your Electrical Appliances and Equipment<\/h3>\n

To start your winter safety off right, inspect your electrical appliances and equipment for faults or damages. If you\u2019re dragging your appliances out of storage, you\u2019ll want to give them a good clean before first use as dust can cause smoking, overheating, and fires.<\/p>\n

Carefully examine your cords for frays, kinks, or cracking in the wire. It\u2019s also important to inspect the insulation protecting the wire for signs of pinching, as this coating is crucial to keep the wires from overheating. If you notice any damages, it\u2019s crucial that you have a professional residential electrician take a look.<\/p>\n

2. Use Space Heaters Responsibly<\/h3>\n

While these commonly used devices are a convenient way to provide supplemental heat to a space, they can be a fire risk if not used properly. Something you\u2019ll definitely want to avoid is placing items too close to your heater. From furniture and d\u00e9cor to clothes, toys, and curtains, keep at least one meter (or 3+ feet) of distance between your space heater and other items.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to keep your heater out of harm\u2019s way. Meaning, if you find a low-profile spot that doesn\u2019t experience much foot traffic, you can avoid collisions and damages to your heater. Finding flat, even ground to place your heater on will prevent it from tipping over. This is especially important if your space heater doesn\u2019t come with an automatic shutoff should it get knocked over.<\/p>\n

Lastly, when you leave the room, turn off your space heater. Not only will this cut down your hydro bill, but it\u2019s also a great safety precaution as well. In fact, if you won\u2019t be using your heater for some time, unplug the heater completely. It\u2019s also recommended that you avoid sharing your space heater\u2019s wall outlet with other appliances, to prevent tripping a breaker and overloading the circuit.<\/p>\n

3. Electric Blankets<\/h3>\n

These aren\u2019t just for your grandparents\u2019 house. Electric blankets are a popular way to preheat your bed, so you can crawl into warm sheets on a cold winter\u2019s nights. However, precautions must be taken with your electric blanket to prevent it from overheating and causing a fire.<\/p>\n

For safe usage, abide by the following guidelines:<\/p>\n