Skip to content

Energy and seasonal

Electrical Safety Tips for Winter

Published December 16, 2019 by Hot Shot Electric Service Co.

A weatherproof generator inlet box mounted on an exterior brick wall

The weather can be unpredictable in Oklahoma. And, during the winter, one of the only certainties is that it will inevitably get cold without warning. Have you checked your existing electrical system and components in your home for the harsh winter that may be just around the corner? Do you know how to protect yourself with common electrical safety tips for the winter? By keeping these questions in your mind in the upcoming months, you can rely on these recommendations from the professionals at Hot Shot Electric Service Co.

As the cold finally settles in, you will likely find that your electricity bill begins to rise. In fact, it’s likely that, for this reason alone, you will want to ensure that you know the signs to look for when your electrical systems are running overtime. Be sure to pay special attention to the new things you will be plugging into your system to create a higher load like space heaters, Christmas lights or heated blankets. While these items are all perfectly fine to use, knowing how to use them properly is critical.

Space heaters are often utilized during the winter months because they help save money on heating by only adding warmth to the room that an occupant is currently in. However, they are often a fire hazard when used improperly and require special attention to detail to uphold the highest safety levels possible. Any time you are actively using a space heater, some important things to consider include:

  • Make sure that the space heater you purchase meets your unique needs. Overworking a space heater to consistently heat a room bigger than it was intended for can increase fire dangers.
  • Ensure that your space heater has tip-over or overheat protection in the event that a problem does occur. With this feature, it will shut off automatically any time there is a problem.
  • Unplugging the space heater when not in use can limit the amount of current it has available. Space heaters will tend to draw a lot of power and you may find that the cord becomes hot with extended use. This is a problem and may mean that your space heater isn’t the right fit for your needs.

Burnt out outlets are also a common problem during the winter months, particularly in older homes or homes that have an overloaded circuit. By adding new devices into the mix during the winter, this only adds to the current problem that you already have. If you notice any corrosion, burn marks or brown dust around your outlets, don’t hesitate to call the experts at Hot Shot Electric Service Co. Let us help remove the safety hazards that could affect you this winter before they become a problem.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SERVICES WE PROVIDE

Electrician testing a power cord with a Klein Tools multimeter reading 241 volts
GFCI receptacle under a weatherproof in-use cover on a brick wall

Hot Shot Electric Service Co. is Green Country’s electric hero! If you are looking for an electrical service provider in Broken Arrow or Tulsa, Hot Shot Electric Service Co. is ready to exceed your expectations. Contact us today to get started!

Contact Us Today

Space heaters tripping breakers? See circuit breaker repair. Ready for outages? See generator transfer switches.

Electrical work is not a DIY project

Anything past resetting a breaker or a GFCI belongs to a licensed electrician. Hot Shot Electric Service Co. holds Oklahoma license #26574, and a licensed journeyman runs every job.

Further reading

Want a licensed electrician to take a look?

Real answers, responsible repairs, and the price before any work starts.

Call (918) 261-8024Request service online

Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Financing available on larger projects