Season’s Greetings from Kolb Electric, and a Happy Holiday to all! It’s about time to deck the halls, but before you do, our experts wanted to chip in and offer a little advice. The holidays are a wonderful time of the year, but with all of the hustle, bustle, decorating, and general chaos, safety occasionally falls by the wayside. Don’t let this happen!
At Kolb Electric, we take the safety and security of our customers very seriously. We want to be called on for repairs, replacement and installations, any time, any day. What we don’t want is to hear about our customers encountering dangerous electrical situations that could be avoided with a little know-how and understanding. Keep yourself and your family safe from electrical burns when handling your holiday lighting this year with these general safety tips.
Avoiding Electrical Burns
- Inspect all wiring. Strands of lights, ornaments, electrical equipment and the like have been in storage for months. Be aware that they may have accumulated damage from any number of sources, and take the time to check them over. Any cracking, cuts or otherwise damaged wires should not be used under any circumstance! Open lines and damaged wires are one of the number one sources for electrical burns, but this is easily avoided!
- Indoor for indoors, outdoor for outdoors. The label indicating whether your light strands and extension cords are indoor and outdoor aren’t just for show. Outdoor-intended wires are weather-protected and in general hardier. This is so that they are safe to handle and operate outdoors.
- Don’t overload outlets. An outlet is only designed to supply so much power. If this is exceeded for any amount of time, you run the risk of an electrical fire. Plan your lighting and accessories out so that they are spread out, electrically speaking. As an added safety measure, be aware of your breaker’s limits.
- Keep cords safe. Avoid placing strips and cords in a dangerous situation. Don’t allow furniture to pinch or rest on them, and keep these out of high-traffic areas of your home.
What To Do In An Emergency
Despite all preparation, and beyond our control, occasionally accidents will happen. In the event of electrical burns, a quick and informed response is crucial. Immediately report to the emergency room if the injured experience:
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart rhythm problems
- Cardiac arrest
- Muscle pain and contractions
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Electrical burns can pose a very serious threat if left untreated. Even if the injured displays none of these signs, it’s best to seek medical treatment right away.
