Despite being in the thick of the Winter season, we have had it pretty lucky with mild weather. But Winter is not over and there is no telling what sort of mayhem may be on the horizon threatening to shut down your power. So to be safe, here are some winter electrical safety tips for the remainder of the season (and every season after).

  • Create a Home Emergency Kit and inform all members of the household of it’s location
  • Use standby generators safely
  • Stay away from downed power-lines -always assume they are energized
  • If icy conditions slide you into a power pole and the lines fall onto your car, STAY IN THE CAR unless there is a fire. If you must evacuate the vehicle, jump free and avoid touching the ground and the car at the same time

Portable Space Heaters –

  • Keep drapes, clothing, and other flammable objects a safe distance away
  • Plug directly into the outlet -avoid using extension cords
  • Place in a secure area where they won’t be bothered or kicked causing a fire hazard
  • Keep in a dry area to avoid shock risk and corrosion
  • Make sure the plug fits in the outlet snug and secure
  • Do not run cords under carpet or rugs -this will cause the cord to overheat
  • Never leave a space heater unsupervised
  • Always turn off and UNPLUG when not in use

Electric Blankets and Heating Pads –

  • Electric blankets and heating pads should not be used at the same time
  • Check cords for wear before plugging in
  • Unplug the heating pad before getting into bed to avoid overheating and fire risk
  • Do not tuck heating blankets under mattresses or place other covers on top
  • Avoid folding the heating blanket while it’s on
  • Make sure your heating blanket has a mechanism to shut off if overheating occurs

Mister Sparky Electrician NWA, America’s On-Time Electrician in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville services the Northwest Arkansas area with a team of licensed electricians. In addition to flickering lights, some of the electrician services provided by the company include electrical outlet/switch repair, ceiling fan installation, lighting installation, electrical wiring repair, landscape lighting installation and home electrical inspections.