The holidays are a time of celebrating and spending time with family. They also tend to be a time when fires in the home increase due to improper use of lights and holiday décor. It is important you keep your home safe this season and follow proper lighting safety, especially when lighting up your tree. There are many people who prefer the traditional live Christmas tree. If you are one of those people, you need to take a few steps to ensure your holiday decoration does not become a fire hazard. An electrician in Los Angeles has some important safety guidelines to keep in mind when decorating your real tree this year. If you have any more questions, you can always call the team at The Electric Connection.

1-Keep your tree hydrated by ensuring there is plenty of water in the bowl. You may need to add one to two gallons a day when you first get it home.

2-Check your tree daily to determine if it is dry. Your Los Angeles electrician advises against lighting up a tree that is excessively dry. Brown needles or needles that fall to the ground when they are gently touched are a big indicator the tree is dry as tinder and the smallest heat source could spark a fire.

3-Extension cords are pretty common during the holiday season. You need extra outlets to light up the tree and any other décor you have set out. However, extension cords can be dangerous if they are not used correctly. Never overload a cord. If you are in need of additional outlets, call your electrician. Los Angeles homeowners will love the freedom a few extra wall outlets adds all year round.

4-Keep your tree away from heat sources like a space heater, woodstove or even the heater vent. The heat will dry out your tree much faster and can ultimately spark a fire. Do what you can to block the vent if you have to put your tree next to a vent.

Stay safe this season and give The Electric Connection a call if you need any new outlets installed to ease your holiday lighting.

The need for upgrading electrical wiring in homes is becoming more prevalent these days as homeowners use more and more devices and appliances that require additional electricity. Long gone are the days when kitchen appliances, one television set, and a few lamps were the primary electrical draws. Now, there are multiple device chargers, multiple televisions, computers, video game consoles, and more to plug into outlets throughout the home. Upgrading electrical wiring will ensure you can continue accessing the electricity you need safely and efficiently.

If you live in an older home, the need for new electrical wiring may be even more urgent, because wiring from 30 years ago can typically not support modern day electrical needs. Faulty or problematic wiring is a leading cause of residential fires, so this is definitely not something to put off if you think there may be an issue.

Signs that you need professional assistance for upgrading electrical wiring and even emergency electrical help include:

Whether you are dealing with an emergency situation or just think it’s time to upgrade the electrical wiring in your home, you may be wondering what you can expect when you schedule an appointment. First, an expert electrician will come to your home to ensure your wiring system is capable of handling all of your current electrical needs. If he discovers it is not, he will notify you of your need for an upgrade in the electrical panel and/or wiring. You may also need to upgrade electrical receptacles and fixtures.

From there, you can expect the following:

If you want to learn more about upgrading electrical wiring in your home or are ready to schedule an appointment for our professional electrical services, contact us today.