AES Introduces Tips for Preventing Electrical Fires During the Holiday Season

(Newswire.net — December 22, 2015) Arlington, TEXAS — A leader in electrical repair/remodel work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Accurate Electrical Systems is providing tips on preventing electrical fires this holiday season. Holiday decorations are beautiful but the increased power usage puts a strain on the grid and increases the chances of mishaps due to faulty equipment and neglect. The American Red Cross said about 47,000 fires happen during the holidays, resulting in about 500 deaths and 2,200 injuries. Home fires during this time have risen 10% in the past 15 years.

In general, there are a few ways to prevent electrical fires. Accurate Electrical Systems suggests:

• Making sure decorations have safety approvals from national laboratories. The packaging should have seals or labels that say these items are safe to use at home.
• Inspecting each decoration before using it. The wires should be solid and not frayed or loose. Also check that bulbs are not cracked and the product overall does not look physically defective. If anything looks wrong, do not use these decorations.
• When replacing bulbs in string lights, replace them with bulbs with the same wattage rating. Otherwise they can overheat and start a fire.
• Avoiding using one outlet to plug in multiple electrical decorations. An overload can start an electrical fire.
• Unplugging all decorations when leaving or going to sleep, or else nobody will notice the start of a problem to prevent something more serious.

These aren’t the only safety tips. Modern LED lights are designed to operate cool. They use less energy and are not as prone to catching fire as older ones. Outdoor electrical lights and decorations are just as prone to fire. There are numerous safety tips, including:

• Using lights and decorations approved to resist rain and snow. These elements can trigger a fire if the equipment is only rated for use indoors. The packaging should indicate this.
• Hanging string lights and extension cords high enough so they don’t touch snow or standing water. If they touch water, a fire can start or someone might be electrocuted.
• Not putting any decoration near a power line or high voltage source.

Christmas trees are a major source of fires during the holidays. Buy a fresh tree that is green instead of a dry one that’s shedding needles. If fresh, the tree has more moisture and is less flammable. Trees should be at least three feet from heat sources and watered daily. If deciding on an artificial tree, it should be rated as fire resistant or flame retardant.

Maggie Smith, President of AES, said, “The rate of electrical fires increases dramatically during the winter holidays. Following safety tips is important, as we want all our customers to have a safe season and look forward to continue serving everyone in 2016.”

To learn more about Accurate Electrical Systems and its services, visit the company online at http://accurate-electric-dfw.com/.