WeldWinter in Northern Colorado brings chilly weather, cozy nights indoors, and plenty of extra electrical use. Between space heaters, holiday decorations, and long evenings with the lights on, your home’s electrical system works overtime this time of year. Unfortunately, that increased demand can also raise the risk of electrical fires and shocks if systems or appliances are used unsafely.
At Affordable Home Services, your family’s safety is our top priority. Our licensed electricians help homeowners across Northern Colorado stay warm, festive, and secure all season long. Here are our top electrical safety tips to help you prevent winter electrical hazards.
Use Space Heaters Safely
Space heaters are a convenient way to add extra warmth to cold rooms—but they’re also one of the leading causes of winter house fires. To use them safely:
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, bedding, curtains, and other flammable materials.
- Plug them directly into a wall outlet, never into an extension cord or power strip. These can easily overheat under heavy load.
- Never leave a space heater unattended or running while you’re asleep.
Choose models with automatic shutoff features that activate if the unit tips over or overheats.
If you find yourself relying on space heaters frequently, it may be a sign your main heating system or electrical circuits need an upgrade. Our electricians can inspect your home’s wiring and outlet capacity to ensure it’s safe and properly powered.
Light Up the Holidays—Without Risk
Holiday lights make the season bright, but they can also overload circuits or cause electrical shorts if used improperly. Whether you’re decorating your home or lighting up your yard, follow these essential tips:
- Inspect all light strings for cracked sockets, frayed cords, or loose connections before use.
- Use lights rated for outdoor use when decorating outside, and plug them into GFCI outlets for protection against moisture.
- Don’t connect more than three light strands together unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
- Turn lights off before bed or when leaving home to reduce fire risk.
- Replace old incandescent light strings with LED lights, which use less energy and produce far less heat.
Proper planning and care ensure your decorations shine safely all season long without putting your home at risk.
Be Smart About Extension Cords
Extension cords are helpful during the holidays, but they’re not designed for permanent use. Overloaded or damaged cords can spark fires or cause electric shocks. To stay safe:
- Use heavy-duty cords rated for the devices you’re powering.
- Never run cords under rugs, furniture, or doorways, where they can overheat or become damaged.
- Check cords regularly for frays or exposed wires and replace them immediately if damaged.
- When you need additional outlets, ask a licensed electrician to install new circuits or outlets instead of relying on temporary fixes.
Affordable Home Services offers professional wiring and outlet installations to make your setup both safer and more convenient.
Keep Your Home Safe All Season Long
A little attention to electrical safety goes a long way toward preventing fires, shocks, and costly damage during Northern Colorado’s cold months. If you’re noticing flickering lights, tripped breakers, or warm outlets, don’t ignore them—these can be signs of overloaded circuits or outdated wiring.
At Affordable Home Services, our team provides comprehensive electrical inspections, upgrades, and repairs to keep your home powered safely all winter long. Call us today to schedule an electrical inspection or repair and enjoy a warmer, safer winter season.
Where quality and integrity meet… it’s not cheap, it’s Affordable.