26 October, 2022
Hi-Lite Electric Inc.
Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays of the year. The delicious candy, the creative costumes, and the Halloween spirit all make this holiday an extra special occasion.
No Halloween celebration would not be complete without putting out some extra spooky decorations for trick-or-treaters and passersby to enjoy.
However, many of the Halloween-themed lights and decorations that you will put out probably run on electricity.
For that reason, neither the talking skeleton on your lawn nor the evil vampire costumes you are bound to see are the scariest part of this holiday.
Rather, it is the thousands of accidents involving electricity that take place every year on Halloween that are truly frightening.
Whether you decide to host a Halloween party or go out trick-or-treating with your family, there are some important safety tips you should keep in mind this Halloween.
As you set up your Halloween decorations this year, pay extra attention to the ones containing electrical components.
Whether something is battery-powered or needs to be plugged into your outlet, it should be checked carefully before you decide to use it.
Keeping some of the following electrical safety rules in mind will help ensure that you do not run into any electrical problems that would certainly ruin your holiday.
Make sure all of your electrical decorations have three-pronged cables since the third prong is necessary for grounding the electrical current.
This is especially crucial if you have some decorations that tend to use a significant amount of power.
If you have multiple decorations to set up for the big night and a limited amount of external outlets at your house, you will probably need to use extension cords.
However, it is vital that you refrain from overloading any of your extension cords; otherwise, they could overheat and lead to an electrical fire.
Ensure that you are using indoor extension cords for indoor use and outdoor extension cords for outdoor use and that all of them are “UL-rated.”
It goes without saying that liquids and electricity do not go well together. On Halloween, though, when there are constant distractions, it can be easy to forget even such basic things.
If you’re having a Halloween party involving drinks, ensure that you set up the drink station away from all your cords and outlets to prevent accidents.
Even a little spill could lead to an electrical fire, so it’s better to focus on preventative measures as much as possible.
Electrical fires are also commonly the result of overworn cords, so you should check the state of all the cords you intend to use.
If you notice any signs of wear, such as frayed or loose wires, loose connections, broken plugs, or other damage, you should discard the cord, as using it could put you and your family in danger.
To prevent your cords from wearing down faster, avoid running them through doorways or across walkways.
Using ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets will provide you with added shock protection for all of your decorations this Halloween.
GFCI outlets are specially designed with safety features that prevent your circuit from overloading by cutting off power when current imbalances are detected. Therefore, using GFCI outlets can minimize the risk of electrical accidents.
If you’re leaving for a couple of hours to go trick-or-treating or for a Halloween party, unplug all of your lights and decorations if they will be left unattended.
The same goes for when you’re turning in for the night. Otherwise, if any problems arise with the cords or other electrical components while you’re away or asleep, they can quickly escalate since they would be undetected for some time.
Of course, you will probably want to put up some lights to improve the overall Halloween aesthetics at your house. However, it’s important that as you hang your lights, you do not use nails or staples since they can easily puncture the lights’ cord, causing risky damage.
Instead, use insulated hooks or plastic clips made specifically for this purpose to hang your lights.
If you are using any outdoor outlets to plug in your decorations, make sure you cover them to prevent them from getting wet.
Whether from rain or lawn sprinklers, any kind of moisture could lead to unwanted electrical problems. Thus, it is best to use a weatherproof cover for these outlets.
To be extra certain that your house is free of electrical hazards this Halloween, you may want a licensed electrician to examine your home. When doing so, it is important that you hire an experienced and reliable electrician that knows exactly what to look for.
Hi-Lite Electric Inc. can certainly help with that. No matter what kind of electrician service you require, our licensed electricians can take care of your needs while providing professional service using the latest electrical standards and technology.
If you have not had your home’s electrical setup checked in a while, you may want to consider having an electrical inspection and safety check done, especially before Halloween, when all kinds of decorations and lights will be plugged in at once.
We will send our electricians to your location to inspect your home’s electrical wiring.
They will do a 12-point check to ensure that your home is up-to-code and fire-safe, and they will repair any faulty wiring that they encounter to prevent electrical fires and other expensive electrical damage.
Since customer safety is our top concern, our electricians will also always take the time to help teach you and your family about electrical hazards and how to prevent them effectively.
That way, you can proactively prevent electrical fires, and you can ensure that all electronics are always used safely in your home. If you ever have an electrical emergency, you can also contact us 24/7, 365 days a year, and we can assist you promptly and efficiently.
For more information about how we can help prevent electrical problems from occurring at your house or to book an appointment for an electrical inspection and safety check before Halloween, call High-Lite Electric Inc. at 416-800-5536 (in Toronto), 289-236-1333 (in York), or 289-236-1347 (in Peel), or contact us here.
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