4 Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips

While you may practice proper safety precautions with your indoor electrical wiring and repairs, what about outdoors? It is important that whether you are hanging holiday lights or plugging something into an extension cord, you keep safety in mind at all times to avoid electrocution and other electrical hazards.

Use Precautions With Extension Cords

Among the different dangers with outdoor electrical work, many of them have to do with your extension cords. Remember that these cords are not meant for long-term use. Do not use them to have outdoor lighting every day, but only for temporary lighting or appliances that you want to use outdoors. Make sure that extension cords are labelled specifically for outdoor use. Also inspect them closely for signs of damage or wear before plugging them in. Replace them when they start to look old and worn.

Cover Outlets and Switches

Your exterior outlets and switches should not be left open and exposed. Have weatherproof covers installed over all outlets. This ensures rain and other weather conditions don't affect the electrical system or cause electrical shock to anyone nearby if water gets inside. These covers easily open and close, so that when you don't have something plugged into them, you can easily close them. Always keep them closed unless an extension cord or outdoor appliance is plugged in. You can also get covers to go over your cords, which keep them protected from water.

Avoid Re-Wiring on Your Own

While some basic electrical repairs are appropriate for do-it-yourself (DIY) work, such as replacing a lighting fixture, you should not do any re-wiring on your own. If you don't have enough electrical outlets outside, contact an electrical contractor to have one installed. Adding new wiring requires expertise, as it is complex and can be dangerous. You also risk doing damage to your existing electrical wiring if you don't know what you're doing.

Trim Tall Branches

If you have power lines outside your home, make sure you don't have any trees whose the branches are close to coming into contact with the power lines. If they are, do not attempt to trim them yourself. Contact a professional tree trimming service to cut down the tall branches. They know how to do this safely without affecting the power lines.

Remember to only use wood or fiberglass ladders near power lines or electrical work; other materials can be dangerous to have around live wiring.