Top 5 Electrical Safety Tips for Winter

Nov 30, 2023

Winter is almost here, and it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months. While you’re getting your furnace and heating system ready, don’t forget about electrical safety. Winter is a time when electrical fires are more common, so it’s important to take precautions to keep your family safe.


In this blog post, we will share the top 5 electrical safety tips to keep in mind this winter season. These tips will help you avoid common electrical hazards and ensure that your home is safe and warm throughout the winter months. Let’s get started!


Hands in knitted mittens holding a gingerbread house.

5 Electrical Safety Tips You Need to Know

As the temperature drops, it’s important to take note of these tips to make sure your home is safe and warm. 


  1. Don’t plug space heaters into power strips: Space heaters are a popular way to stay warm during the winter, but they can be dangerous if not used properly. It is not recommended to connect your space heater to a power strip as it is not designed to handle the high current required by space heaters. Doing so may cause the power strip to melt, burn, or catch fire. Additionally, it is advisable to use your space heater sparingly during the winter season. Before you leave your house or before you go to sleep at night, make sure to turn it off.
  2. Keep flammable objects away from heat sources: Whether your space heater or your vents, make sure to keep any flammable objects at least 3 feet away. Space heaters are designed to put out a lot of heat, so they can cause items such as furniture and curtains to light on fire.
  3. Invest in a whole-house surge protector: All it takes is one sudden surge of electricity through an unprotected house to cause thousands of dollars' worth of damage. Electrical power fluctuations can occur due to various reasons such as damaged power lines, thunderstorms, and defective electrical wiring. The last thing you want is for a winter storm to end up costing you big time! Protect all your electronics by making this investment today!
  4. Test carbon monoxide detectors: Carbon monoxide poisoning is more prevalent during the winter months due to the increased use of gas. Make sure you test your carbon monoxide detectors regularly. If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, then consider adding one as soon as possible. It could save a life. Remember to never use a camp stove or gas oven (for heating purposes) inside your home, as a way to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
  5. Schedule electrical safety inspection: Some of the biggest risks of electrical fires include outdated fuse boxes, faulty electrical panels, and damaged wiring. To ensure that your electrical system runs smoothly during the winter season, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical components for safety.



Discover How Our Services Can Help You 

Best Owner Direct HVAC and Electrical is a company that provides a wide range of services to help you keep your home safe and comfortable throughout the winter season. Our team of experienced professionals can help you with everything from electrical safety inspections to whole-house surge protectors.


If you’re concerned about the safety of your electrical system this winter, our team can perform a thorough inspection of your electrical components to ensure that everything is working properly. We can identify any potential hazards and provide you with recommendations for how to address them.


We hope these electrical safety tips help you keep your home safe and warm this winter season. Remember to always prioritize safety and take the necessary precautions to avoid electrical hazards. We’re here to help whether you need an electrical safety inspection or a whole-house surge protector.


Get in touch with us today to discover how our electrical services can help you maintain a safe home.

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Best Owner Direct is your local, independent, family-owned and operated, residential and commercial HVAC service, repair and installation team. We're a trade ally of the Energy Trust of Oregon and our certified professionals offer services for all major brands. With over 20 years of experience, our team can handle all of your HVAC needs.


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