Winter is well and truly here and that means that electric blankets, portable heaters and fairy lights. After all, sometimes the central heating doesn’t quite work well enough and you need that cosy blanket to take the chill off. Not to mention that a portable heater is often needed on those really cold lights. Plus, with Christmas only weeks away, you’ve probably gone around hanging twinkling fairy lights to make your home feel festive. Of course, this is something that we’d encourage. However, a lot of people don’t realise that using these electrical items can be unsafe. If used incorrectly, you run the risk of fire and personal injury.
The Top Electrical Safety Tips This Winter
A lot of people don’t give a second thought to electrical safety, assuming that any electrical item that they use is safe and secure. Sadly, that’s not always the case. Winter is prime time for electrical fires. Here are some of our top tips to keep yourself safe this winter.
Don’t Overload Sockets
– Though it may be tempting to plug a number of things into one socket, this isn’t recommended. Not only do you run the risk of an electrical shock, but the overloaded socket can malfunction and that’s when an electrical fire is possible. During the winter months it’s likely that you’ll need to plug a lot of things in at once; instead of overloading a socket, try to prioritise.
Remember to Turn Fairy Lights Off
– Whether Christmas is approaching or you simply like to add some festive cheer with fairy lights, make sure that you remember to turn them off. Fairy lights are renowned for causing electrical fires, simply because they’re so easy to forget about. Before heading out, make sure to turn all lights off.
Don’t Sleep With an Electric Blanket Turned On
– If it’s cold and you need an electric blanket, ensure that you don’t sleep with it turned on. Electric blankets are one of the main causes of fires during the winter, simply because people leave them on for far too long and overnight. To get the most out of the blanket and to stay safe, warm the bed up beforehand and turn it off before you go to sleep.
Avoid Using Poor Quality Items
– When an electrical item is of poor quality, it’s a lot more likely to cause problems. This is because corners may have been cut in the and low quality materials may have been used. It can be tempting to buy poor quality electrical items, as they’re often cheaper. However, it’s always best to stick to well known brands and brands that you trust.
If you are still unsure about how best to keep safe with your electrical items this winter, you have come to the right place. It’s always best to ask the professionals and the team here at AJ Walker are always happy to help.