Top 10 Electrical Tips for This Festive Season

 

The holidays are among the best times of the year, bringing friends and family together to celebrate the passage from one year to the next. You might celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or a variety of other holidays at this exciting time of year, and if you do, you might also be taking the time to decorate.

As electricians Auckland-wide, we unfortunately see an uptick in electrical incidents around this time of year. Whether it’s from putting more strain on your home’s wiring from additional guests using the power or improper use of power sources to decorate homes, there are many things that can cause unfortunate incidents if you’re not paying attention.

To make sure you’re having a safe, fun, and happy holiday period, we’ve put together our top ten electrical tips for this festive season. If you don’t want to be trying to scope out an emergency electrician in NZ on Christmas Eve, this is the guide for you!

• Check your fairy lights before hanging them up.

Before you get carried away with the holiday spirit (and the stepladder), always make sure to inspect your lights for any frayed cords, exposed wires, or cracked sockets. These are small faults that can quickly cause a short circuit or even an electrical fire, especially in older lights that don’t have the same protections.

Best place to start? Plug your lights in for a quick test. If they flicker or spark, or if you smell burning plastic, it’s time to retire them. New LED string lights are incredibly safe and throw very little heat, so they’re a safe option for holiday decoration that most electricians in Auckland would be glad to see you opt for.

• Don’t overload your power boards.

The holidays demand a lot of your home’s electrical system, especially if you’re tempted to plug in every light display, sound system, and slow cooker all at once. Power boards come with limits, and overloading them is one of the most common causes of electrical fires during the holidays.

As a rule of thumb, make sure to stick to one high-wattage appliance per outlet and avoid ‘daisy chaining’ multiple boards together. If you’re ever in doubt, a quick check by an electrician in NZ can verify whether your outlets are safe and ready to go.

• Use outdoor-rated gear outside, always!

Most extension cords can be used indoors, but many aren’t designed for outdoor use. Rain and humidity can pose serious problems if you’re using indoor-rated extension cords or light strings outside.

Before you plug anything in, make sure to check the packaging in-store. If you already have the gear, you can verify its safety by checking for an Ingress Protection (IP) rating. If it’s not labelled for exterior use, keep it indoors where it belongs, 100% of the time.

• Turn everything off before bed.

It’s lovely to fall asleep with your home glowing softly in holiday lights, but it’s so much safer to turn everything off before you call it a night. Leaving your Christmas lights on or inflatables running unattended increases your risk of overheating or electrical faults.

A simple timer switch can help automate this, so you don’t have to switch everything off and on each day manually.

• Give your switchboard a quick once-over.

Your switchboard works hardest when your home is full. All that extra cooking, cleaning, and charging can push it close to its limits.

If you’re noticing tripping breakers or flickering lights, that’s your home’s way of saying it’s under stress. Have one of your local electricians in Auckland inspect your board and safety switches to make sure everything is up to snuff.

• Keep decorations away from heat sources.

Fairy lights might look beautiful wrapped around your curtains or garlands, but those materials can catch fire if they’re too close to heat or electricity.

Keep your lights and cords clear of heaters, fireplaces, and other hot appliances. It’s a simple habit that makes a huge difference.

• Watch your outdoor connections.

If you’re going all-out this year to decorate your garden or roofline, make sure all of your outdoor plugs and connections are properly covered. Moisture and electricity don’t mix, and Aotearoa’s weather system provides plenty of both!

If you want to be extra sure, weatherproof covers are quite inexpensive and can easily protect your gear from rain, dew, and humidity. If you can, double down on safety by plugging your outdoor lights into a circuit protected by an RCD (safety switch) for extra protection.

• Spread the load around.

Running everything off one room’s circuit is asking for trouble. Spread your decorations and appliances across different outlets or rooms to balance the electrical load.

If your home still has old wiring, this is especially important. If you’re just plain old unsure about your current wiring situation, you can talk to an electrician in NZ to find out whether your current system can handle your power usage safely.

• Stay mindful with extension cords.

If you’ve got family or guests around, criss-crossing extension cords can be a real trip hazard (especially if there are little ones playing nearby). Be careful to keep your cords flat against walls, tape them down if necessary, and never run them under rugs (heat builds up fast under the fabric).

For long-term setups, consider installing a few extra outlets where you need them most. It’s a simple job for electricians in Auckland, one that makes your space much safer year-round.

• Test your smoke alarms (and thank yourself later).

It’s the festive season, which means it’s also the season for cooking, candles, and a ton of extra lights! The best thing you can do to ensure you can celebrate without issue is to make sure your smoke alarms are working properly.

Press the test button on each one, and replace the batteries if it’s been a while since the last test. This is seriously a two-minute job that could save you a lot of time and pain if needed.

Proceed with this guide and take a few simple precautions now, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the celebrations while knowing your home is safe and sound. And from all of us at Perl Electrical, have a safe and beautifully-lit festive season!

Need an electrician in NZ to verify your home is safe for the holidays?

We’re here to make sure your home is as safe as you believe it is. Connect with one of the many reputable electricians in Auckland and beyond through PERL Electrical, your trusted network for local electricians. Find an electrician today.