Your Guide to Electrical Safety in Winter

Winter is going to be all about keeping warm as the temperatures drop. In the meantime, we need to think carefully about how we can stay electrically safe and avoid accidents and life-threatening injuries. It can easily slip our minds as we maintain a warm environment, decorate with lights throughout the autumn and winter celebrations such as Halloween and Christmas, and warm up those electric blankets in the worst of January’s freeze.

Electric Blankets

Always make sure that if you have an older electric blanket, that it’s still safe to use. Check for loose sockets and frayed wiring before you put it to use. If you’re about to invest in a new one, then make sure it complies with all British Standards and has the kitemark to prove this.

Thinking of using a portable heater?

Well if you make sure it’s safe to use and again check for loose or frayed wiring and loose sockets. They can cause a high percentage of house fires each year and can cause accidents including fatalities so it’s important to be careful before you use an old in your cupboard and to be choosy about the next one you purchase. 

Christmas fairy lights will be going up this December.

Have you checked yours are fit to use this year? Have any of the lights become loose? Is the socket safe or is there frayed wiring? Don’t use them if you are in any doubt as to their safety, it’s not worth taking the risk. Bin them and buy some new ones, and make sure what you buy is of good quality from a reputable manufacturer.

Storage - checking those electrical heaters and lights.

Go through your storage and find anything that you might think of using this winter to either light your home or brighten it for decoration. If there’s anything you’re going to use to heat up your beds or rooms, then check them too. Look at them all thoroughly and make sure they’re fit for purpose - it could be the difference between life and death. 

VC Electrical - keep your family safe this winter.

If you have any queries following what we’ve discussed in our post, get in touch and one of our dedicated team members will be more than happy to talk to you and answer any questions. If you have any electrical problems that require solving, repairs that need attention, get in touch and one of our qualified and registered electricians will be more than happy to provide a dedicated service to help solve your electrical issues.