How to keep your home safe during winter
Electrical and heater tips to ensure your home is safe and efficient during winter.
There’s a chill in the air, the track pants are out, and the heater is turned up. Winter is almost here, and while it’s nice to stay warm during this time of year. Winter is also a time when house fires are more likely to occur. This increased risk is due to the higher use of electrical appliances during winter, such as electric heaters and dryers.
Whenever a new season starts, it’s always a good idea to perform a general electrical safety check around the house to keep your home safe.
Relevant reading: 8 Ways to Reduce Your Power Bill This Winter
Below are a few electrical and heater safety tips and checks you should do to ensure your home is electrically safe this winter. It will take no time, but will help you and your family stay safe during these cold winter days.
Electric Heaters
One of the main causes of household fires during winter is that electrical appliances, such as electric heaters, are not being used correctly. To keep you, your family, and home safe, we recommend you check the heater carefully before using it this winter for damage or frayed cords, especially if it is coming out of storage. Also, be sure the heater is dust-free before using it.
Always supervise children and pets around heaters
In saying that, there are a few other winter safety things to keep in mind when using heaters. The following winter safety tips are worth reviewing and implementing.
Electric heaters should be kept at least 1 metre away from anything combustible, i.e. bedding, furniture, clothing (don’t sit too close) and curtains.
It is recommended that heaters are placed on a flat, level surface.
Children and pets around heaters should always be supervised. Never leave children or pets unattended around heaters. Also, do not allow children to stand too close to heaters, play near them or sit too close. In addition, it’s a good idea to teach children early on about potential dangers.
When you leave the house or room, turn off the heater. Even if you think you will return soon. Obviously, never leave a heater unattended.
Always keep electric heaters away from water, and for your safety, NEVER touch an electric heater if you’re wet. Touching an electric heater while we could lead to an electrical shock or worse, being electrocuted.
Furthermore, DO NOT use a gas heater or BBQ intended for outdoor use inside your home.
Electrical Safety in General
As with the heater advised above, you should also check all electrical appliances to make sure they aren’t damaged, before plugging them in and switching them on. Especially if they have been stored away for some time and or not used over the summer. If there’s visible damage, such as frayed cords, or they are getting older, etc. It would be best if you either threw them away. Or you arrange an electrical safety check and have them inspected by a licensed electrician before using them
Extension Cords
In general, extension cords and power boards are not designed to handle the amount of electricity a small heater needs. Due to the high level of current used to run electrical heaters, the wires in power points and cords can become overheated and catch fire.
For this reason, we recommend:-
If possible, plug appliances directly into the wall outlet. If you need an extension cord, make sure it’s rated for that appliance. Thus avoiding overloading and causing a short circuit or potential fire.
Move cords away from places people walk to avoid tripping hazards (i.e. across doorways).
Avoid running extension cords under carpets/rugs. Extension leads under carpets/rugs can cause overheating, and/or damage to the cord. Which potentially can cause a fire.
If you need more power points, ask a qualified electrician to install more.
In the garden, use heavy-duty, waterproof extension cords designed for outdoor use. Or ask a licensed electrician about outdoor weatherproof power points.
Make sure all electrical gadgets, appliances and equipment are switched off before going to bed.
Test all smoke alarms throughout the house, and if there aren’t enough, get a few more installed. If you aren’t sure you have enough or the legally required amount, feel free to reach out to us.
Last but not least, ensure your safety switch is working. Test the switch by following these instructionsInsight: How to test your safety switch.
Once you have completed the above electrical safety tips, you can now relax, cosy up on the couch in front of your heater with a good book, knowing that your home is electrically safe this winter.
Electrical Embassy
At Electrical Embassy, our team of qualified Brisbane electricians has extensive experience in Split System Air Conditioning, Data Cables/CCTV/Access Control, and Residential and Commercial/Industrial Electrical work.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small household electrical job or a large commercial job, because Electrical Embassy has the capability and experience to solve the problem. We provide competitive and affordable rates for both domestic and commercial properties.
If you would like to arrange a free no-obligation quote, call our office on 1800 878 100 or send an email to service@electricalembassy.com.au
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