Even amidst the excitement of the yuletide season, holiday fire safety should be a major concern for everyone. The array of colorful Christmas lights decors are potential sources of fire accidents. These gadgets are usually connected to extension cords. Using electrical extension cords wisely is one way of preventing fire hazards. The following are tips on how to use electrical extension cords wisely:
1. Do not overload electrical extension cords.
There is a limit to the amount of electric current an extension cord could handle. Holiday fire safety should be the utmost concern when installing these extensions. A proportion of one extension to two sockets would do. Three or more appliances connected to the extension cord could be a potential source of fire hazard.
2. Be sure to install appropriate circuit breakers.
Houses with appropriate circuit breakers are safer and are less prone to household fires. This is because the circuit breakers could aptly supply the demand of the electrical appliances without overworking the breakers.
3. Upgrade your electrical connections when you install Christmas lights and the like.
Having additional electrical demand from the Christmas lights means you have also to upgrade your connections because the previous one would not be applicable anymore.
Buy materials that are of standard quality. Choose quality over price. Safety should always be the vital concern.
4. Let a licensed electrical engineer check your connections.
Holiday fire safety is ensured when an expert specifies what amperes should be used with the number and type of appliances that you have. Having an air-conditioned room has different specific electrical connection and demand.
If you’re going to add more load, like Christmas lanterns, lights and stars, your electrical connection cords should be adjusted accordingly.
5. Sockets should be taken cared of properly
Plugs should never be touched when your hands are wet. Plugs should be covered with a protective covering when not in use. The electrical extension cords should not be turned on before plugging.
6. Fuses should be appropriate for the holiday fire safety demand and protocol.
The normal demand for electricity on ordinary days is different from that of the holidays. Select and use the correct fuses since you’ll be adding additional electrical load.
7. Watch out for water. It is a natural conductor of electricity.
Never allow your extension cords to come in contact with anything liquid, especially water. Water transmits electricity as it has the ability to dissociate electrically charged ions.
One of the most common causes of holiday fire safety accidents is that caused by heavy rains. When the extension cords are frayed and are exposed to rain then, inevitably accidents happen.
8. Observing holiday fire safety also requires that you know the proper sequence of turning on and off the electrical extension cords. Below is the correct sequence of plugging in your extension cord:
8.1.Plug in the extension cord.
8.2.Plug in the appliance.
8.3.Turn on the extension cord.
8.4.Turn on the appliance.
9. This is the correct sequence when turning off your extension cords:
9.1.Turn off the appliance.
9.2.Turn off the extension cord.
9.3.Unplug the extension cord.
Holiday fire safety is ensured if you make sure that the electrical extension cords are used wisely and that they meet the above, standard specifications. It is better to be slow but sure, than to be quick but sorry. Be responsible, observe holiday fire safety now!
