With winter in Vermont comes the warm glow of candles and all kinds of electrical issues as we try to heat our homes. With all of the safety risks involved, we’ve put together the following safety tips to help you and your family stay safe during the winter heating season.

Holiday Electrical Safety

• Unplug electrical decorations before replacing light bulbs or fuses and before leaving the house or going to bed.
  
  
• Never nail or staple light strings or extension cords.
  
  
• Plug all outdoor extension cords/light strings into outlets with ground fault interrupters (GFCI).
  
  
• Keep outdoor extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water and well protected from weather.
  
  
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.
  
  
• Use only lights that are UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) safety approved.
  
  
• Do not decorate within 10 feet of overhead power lines including the line coming into your house.

Portable Heater Safety

• Keep portable space heaters at least three feet away from any combustible materials such as furniture, curtains, bedding, and rugs.
  
  
• Plug portable space heaters directly into the outlet. Never use extension cords with space heaters as it is a common cause of fires.
  
  
• Purchase only heaters with the UL safety listing and that have a tip-over shut-off function.
  
  
• Always unplug your heater when not in use and before going to sleep.
  
  
• Vacuum and clean the dust from all heaters. A build-up of lint and dust can start a fire.

Generator Safety

• Be sure your generator hook-ups are installed and inspected by a professional electrician to ensure your safety and the safety of the utility workers.
  
  
• Run generators outside and downwind of structures. NEVER run a generator indoors as carbon monoxide gas from the generator’s exhaust can spread throughout enclosed spaces.
  
  
• Do not exceed the rated capacity of your generator (a small, home use generator produces 350–12,000 watts of power). Overloading your generator can damage it and/or start a fire.

Carbon Monoxide

• Install UL approved carbon monoxide (CO) detectors near sleeping areas in your home and check batteries regularly. (Many people check twice a year, during time changes in fall and spring.)
  
  
• Never use an oven or range to heat your home. This can be a fire hazard as well as a cause of toxic fumes.
  
  
• Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or in a closed garage as this can cause a build-up of carbon monoxide.
  
  
• Don’t allow vehicle exhaust fumes to enter your home.
  
  

Power Outage Precautions

• Put together an emergency kit. It should include a flashlight, extra batteries, canned/packaged food, can opener, tool kit, bottled water, blankets, and a first aid kit.
  
  
• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid a possible fire hazard.
  
  
• Run water at a trickle to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting if outside temperatures are below freezing and you have no heat.
  
  
• Store perishable food outside in the snow or in a cooler.
  
  
• Turn off sensitive appliances like televisions, computers, and refrigerators. They can be damaged by power irregularities when the power comes back on.
  
  
• Have one corded phone in your house. Corded phones may operate even if you lose power.

Miscellaneous

• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and check batteries regularly. (Many people check twice a year, during time changes in fall and spring.)
  
  
• If you use an electric blanket, make sure you turn it off when it’s not in use and never tuck an electric blanket in.
  
  
• Make sure any heater that runs on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) is vented.