Stay safe this winter with Travis Electric

AWe have experienced one of the longer South Dakota winters and Travis Electric wants to remind clients in Hartford and the surrounding areas to practice electrical safety.

We are now in March, but did you know that home fires occur more in winter than in any other season, with half of all home heating fires happening between December and February. According to owner Travis Kuehl, 1 out of every 7 home fires and 1 out of every 5 home fire deaths involve heating equipment, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators and space heaters.

It’s critical to keep these types of heat sources at least three feet away from any flammable items, and ensure that only one heat-producing appliance is plugged into an electrical outlet at a time. Additionally, portable generators should always be kept outside, away from windows and as far from your home as possible.

Throughout the year, but especially during the cold months, ensure you have the proper amount of fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home and garage. Test these alarms periodically — ideally each month. In addition to maintaining these alarms, your home’s fire doors should always remain closed.

If your home requires an extra heat boost, Kuehl recommends using NRTL-listed space heaters per manufacturer’s instructions. First, however, ensure that your home’s electrical system is set up to handle such appliances, as overloaded circuits can that can trip breakers.

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An electrician can analyze your home for overloaded wiring and determine whether you need to update your fuse panels or circuit breakers.

When heavy snowfalls and ice occur, it’s important to be aware of the potential hazards caused by these conditions. Large tree branches can fall on electrical lines, disrupting power and creating a shock hazard.

Chilly conditions can also cause issues if your electrical outlets are unsealed or poorly insulated. An electrician can assist with the installation of listed foam gaskets to provide insulation, or assess the problem further.

For these and all other electrical issues, call your friends at Travis Electric to keep your home and family safe this winter. Kuehl and his team appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve Hartford and the surrounding area. 