Thanksgiving is that time of the year when our thoughts turn to family and feasts. It’s not the time when you want to be struggling with an electrical problem. Yet, the holidays are primetime for “technical issues.” Here are some helpful tips to ensure an electrical malfunction doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into your Turkey Day.
Don’t Overload Outlets
There’s a lot going on in the kitchen with Thanksgiving meal preparation. Simultaneously plugging in the mixer, electric knife, food processor and can opener can overload outlets and cause a short. Before cooking comes to a screeching halt, carefully consider what you’re plugging in and where. In some cases, it may be necessary to rotate countertop kitchen appliances being used to not cause an overload.
Be Careful with Electric Ranges
Your stovetop and oven are absolute essentials when it comes to holiday food preparation. It goes without saying that you want to ensure your electric range is working properly prior to Thanksgiving. If it’s not, make sure to check for a blown fuse before calling for appliance repair. There are also safety issues to consider. With all the holiday kitchen commotion, accidents can happen – like throwing a dish towel accidentally onto a burner or grabbing a pan out of the oven without a potholder. Throughout the day, use caution around heat and limit the number of people around the electric range.
Limit Energy-Thirsty Decorations
Decorations requiring electricity are very common during Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays. Tree ornaments and strings of lights, both indoors and out, create a festive atmosphere. But, they also can increase the risk of electrical problems like overloads, blown fuses and even fire.
The best way to avoid a holiday electrical problem is to use non-electric holiday décor when possible. If you are going to use lights, choose low-wattage, LED lights that draw less energy and produce less heat. This will reduce the risk of overloads and fires. Electric lights and decorations should also be spread across multiple circuits to avoid placing too large a load on a single circuit. Finally, don’t use damaged or tattered lights with frayed or torn insulation.
At Cool Blew, we wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones. And, if you run into an electrical issue, remember to call us at 623-872-2900.
