Electricity is something we rely on every day, usually without even considering what would happen without it, or worse, what happens when something goes wrong. The truth is, while electricity is a cornerstone of modern life, it can be extremely hazardous, even deadly, when malfunctions and failures occur. More common than most realize, electrical accidents cause tens of thousands of home fires each year, thousands of injuries, and hundreds of deaths. Data from sources such as the National Fire Protection Association and the Electrical Safety Foundation International show that electrical failures and malfunctions are among the leading causes of house fires every year. These accidents not only cost billions of dollars in property damage annually, but they also result in devastating injuries and the loss of life.
What many homeowners may fail to recognize is that while electrical hazards are always present, these dangers change with the seasons. In Northern Massachusetts, where we experience four very distinct seasons, these hazards become especially relevant. When the weather shifts dramatically from freezing winters to humid summers, each change introduces a new set of electrical hazards to watch out for. In this guide, homeowners will learn about the risks in each season, why they are present, the potential dangers each poses, and the preventive steps to take to protect families, properties, and homes year-round. With spring at the doorstep but not quite in full swing, we’ll begin here.
Spring Showers and Electrical Power
As the weather warms and the winter thaws in Northborough, May marks the transition with blooming foliage and warming trends, but also thunderstorms, increased rain, and, of course, more outdoor activity. For these reasons, the spring season comes with a unique set of electrical hazards.
Why Hazards Arise
- Melting snow in early spring, combined with heavy rains, can lead to potential water intrusion around outdoor outlets, panels, wiring, and at roof penetrations.
- Intense spring thunderstorms down power lines and lightning strikes cause power surges.
- Damage that occurs during winter goes unnoticed until springtime.
- With the sunshine comes an increase in outdoor activity. With grass growing and buds blooming, homeowners spend more time outside using power tools, lawn equipment, and power cords.
The Dangers
- Water and electricity do not mix. With ample moisture in the springtime, the risk of electrical shock is heightened.
- Electrocution (death) is a real risk as outdoor activities increase during this wet season.
- Power surges damage sensitive electronics and appliances.
- Damaged wiring, especially in older homes, increases the risk of electrical fires that can spread quickly throughout the entire wiring system within the home’s walls.
What Homeowners Can Do
- As the weather warms and homeowners become anxious to get outside, it is vital first to inspect all outdoor outlets and ensure they are protected with waterproof covers.
- Use GFCI outlets and check them once a month by pushing the “test” button.
- Inspect outdoor panels and any exposed wiring, looking for signs of water damage, frays, or cracks.
- Install whole-home surge protectors.
- Look for signs of moisture-related problems, especially after storms, such as flickering lights, warm outlets, or tripped breakers.
- Avoid using electrical equipment outdoors when it is wet or storming.
Summer Demands and Exposure
It’s no surprise that as the temperatures warm and humidity rises, electrical systems in Northborough homes experience high electrical demand. From air conditioner use and fans to outdoor entertaining and pool maintenance, both electrical demands and outdoor exposures are elevated, which means the risks are too.
Why Hazards Arise
- During the summer months, electrical systems are under more pressure to cool the home.
- The use of outdoor equipment and extension cords increases; therefore, the risks associated with their use increase as well. The risks greatly increase when using electrical equipment on wet grass.
- As summer heat bears down, power grids are strained during heat waves.
- Strong summer storms often produce lightning strikes that induce power surges throughout affected electrical systems.
- Heat-related damage, such as degraded wires and insulation.
The Dangers
- Overloaded circuits will overheat and can eventually cause a fire.
- Damaged wires from sun exposure pose electrocution risks if a person comes into contact with a live wire, particularly near pools or after a rainstorm.
- Using outdoor equipment improperly, such as using a non-weatherproof extension cord or a non-GFCI outlet in wet environments, creates unsafe conditions.
What Homeowners Can Do
- Make sure high-wattage appliances are distributed across different circuits in the home, or homeowners can avoid using multiple appliances and devices on the same circuit, which can overload and overheat.
- Do not daisy-chain power strips to run additional cooling units or fans.
- Use only outdoor-rated extension cords outside, and put all cords and equipment away in an elevated location when not in use to keep them out of water.
- Before peak season, have a residential electrician or HVAC professional inspect your system and the electrical connections.
- Pay attention to warning signs, especially after any significant storm. Listen for buzzing noise, watch for dimming lights, and pay attention when a breaker repeatedly trips.
- Trim outdoor vegetation away from any power lines to prevent damage to the electrical lines (and possibly the property) during a storm.
Fall Debris and Preparation Risks
Fall in Massachusetts is a kaleidoscope of colors with the landscape transitioning from green to red to gold. As temperatures cool and families prepare for the holiday season, activities shift indoors while outdoor maintenance reaches a peak. With the falling leaves, cooling temperatures, and the hurry to complete outdoor chores, new electrical risks arise.
Why Hazards Arise
- As trees begin to shed leaves, homeowners battle clogged gutters and falling debris that can cover outdoor outlets and trap moisture.
- As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, space heaters and electric blankets are brought out, creating electrical hazards that aren’t typically encountered in the summer.
- Outdoor pests, such as mice, begin to look for warm shelter. They often seek shelter in our homes, chewing their way inside, including through electrical wires.
- Holiday decorations, such as Halloween or Thanksgiving yard inflatables and lighting, often involve the use of extension cords during cold, potentially wet weather.
- Last-minute fall maintenance, such as cleaning gutters or trimming trees, often involves using ladders. When placed close to electrical wiring, the danger is great.
The Dangers
- Popular heating devices, such as space heaters and electric blankets, are a fire risk.
- Debris-related shorts or shorts due to moisture can lead to shocks and fire.
- Hidden wire damage, whether due to deterioration or pest chewing, increases the risk of tripping breakers and of fire.
- As heating devices are implemented and electrical systems are under a higher demand as homeowners spend more time indoors, circuits are often overloaded.
What Homeowners Can Do
- Clean all leaves and organic debris from around outdoor electrical units and outlets. Test GFCI outlets to verify they are working properly.
- Inspect all cords on heating devices and follow manufacturer instructions. Never leave heating devices powered on when not being supervised.
- Inspect and clean the furnace and change filters. Consider having a residential electrician evaluate the heating system before winter sets in.
- A good habit for homeowners to develop is testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when the time changes in the fall.
Winter Extremes
Winter can be the most challenging season for residents in New England. The combination of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures increases reliance on heating systems (and generators during outages).
Why Hazards Arise
- The constant strain on heating systems, combined with the addition of space heaters or electric blankets, makes winter the most dangerous season for electrical hazards.
- Improper use of power cords for heating devices and/or holiday decorations and lighting.
- Snow and ice are heavy, and when they accumulate, they weigh on and even bring down power lines.
- Power grid disruptions are most common during the winter months due to extreme weather.
The Dangers
- House fires occur more often during the winter than any other season. Whether caused by a space heater sitting too close to a flammable object or by an overloaded circuit that overheats, house fires are devastating and many times deadly.
- Misuse of generators during a power outage is a known cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Downed power lines from wind or ice pose live-wire hazards.
- During the holidays, having a real Christmas tree indoors, loaded with lights, increases the risk of fire.
What Homeowners Can Do
- Use space heaters and heated electrical devices responsibly, following manufacturers’ instructions, and maintaining at least three feet of clear space around the unit.
- Do not overload circuits.
- Never run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space, and keep them away from doors and windows where exhaust can enter the home.
- Make sure to check all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for fresh batteries and that they are functioning.
- Pay attention to any tripped breakers, flickering lights, buzzing noises, or warm outlets. All of these signs point to an electrical issue.
- Have a qualified professional inspect and maintain your heating system at the start of the winter season.
How a Residential Electrician Can Help
Although homeowners can handle many of these preventative tasks themselves, having a professional residential electrician expertly mitigate these seasonal dangers offers a greater peace of mind than DIY attempts. With training and the right tools, qualified electricians can identify trouble that homeowners may otherwise miss. Professional electricians will inspect, test, and ground systems using specialized tools and also to detect any problems. Residential electricians can address problems ranging from replacing faulty breakers to upgrading and rewiring the entire electrical system. Another key service offered by true professionals is emergency services. Understanding that electricity is essential to the safety and comfort of the home, a reputable residential electrician in Northborough will offer 24-hour emergency services, providing heat during blizzards, AC in the blazing summer, and lights day or night, no matter the season.
Staying Safe Year-Round
Electrical hazards are not limited to one specific season. Evolving with every seasonal change, electrical hazards pose a risk to homes regardless of the forecast. Homeowners who stay vigilant year-round and address issues promptly can greatly reduce the risk of an electrical emergency. And while awareness and routine inspections are helpful tools for homeowners, professional intervention offers the safest layer of protection for homes. From spring rains to winter blizzards, homeowners can create a safer, more reliable environment year-round through regular inspections, maintenance, seasonal awareness, and the help of a professional when needed.