Holiday Lighting, Winter Appliances and Furnace Tips and Reminders

The holiday season is coming up and everybody knows that extra appliances and lights are used everywhere, which creates a need for awareness and some simple maintenance.

Electrical Appliances

Admit it; you have a great little space heater or your heating pad. Or better still; that electric blanket can easily stay under all day.

Now admit something else; you have probably left something like that running for way to long or forgotten about it and left the house.

What is the only thing missing from this picture? Copious amounts of lights throughout the house filling every socket to its spark-showering capacitance a la A Christmas Story, of course.

Well, Xcel Energy has issued a list of tips and reminders to help the public remain safe during the holiday season and increased appliance usage.

• Remember to look up and all around for electric wires before hanging lights outside on your house.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from electric wires, and keep ladders, tools and holiday lights 10 feet away from electric wires as well.
• Use only outdoor lights outside.
• Check for broken sockets, frayed wires and loose connections. Replace or repair damaged light sets.
• Use no more than three light sets on one extension cord.
• Turn off lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave home.
• If you prefer an artificial tree, choose one that is tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
• Fasten outdoor lights firmly to a secure support with insulated staples or hooks to avoid wind damage. Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs off the ground and away from puddles and snow.

Furnaces and Fireplaces

With cold months ahead, checking the venting systems of furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces is paramount.

Xcel reminds homeowners to properly maintain these systems and to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout the house especially in sleeping areas.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that is the result of the incomplete combustion of fuel and can become deadly in high enough amounts.