halloween! Archives - Trustworthy Electric

Stay Safe This Halloween With These Decorating Tips

Three Ways to Decorate Safely for Halloween

The electrical industry has come a long way over the years regarding electrical safety. Indeed, electricity is a dangerous utility, but it is used more than ever before while also increasing safety. That being said, just because electricity is the safest it has ever been doesn’t mean that accidents like electrical fires and shocks still don't occur. Halloween kicks off the decorating season that sees a spike in electricity mishaps.

This year, don’t be too scared to decorate for Halloween! Follow some simple electrical safety tips to keep the home, family, and trick-or-treaters safe. Here are the top tips for safe Halloween decorating.

Always Inspect Halloween Decorations

During the off-season, decorations of every kind are unceremoniously shoved into storage. In a hurry to move on to the next holiday, Halloween-celebrating homeowners often don’t take time to pack decorations properly. This leads to damage that can be a fire hazard the next year when decorations are brought out again.

To avoid hazards from stored decorations, always inspect them before installing them or turning them on. Start by looking for damaged cords and frayed wires that could start electrical fires. Check for missing or broken bulbs in lighting strands. Never damage wire insulation as decorations are installed.

Plan Ahead to Avoid Safety Issues

Halloween decorations can be placed pretty much anywhere. In the fall frenzy, homeowners love decorating indoors and outdoors with lights and Halloween inflatables. Electronics rating is one of the more important things to look out for as decoration supplies grow.

All electronics are rated for indoor or outdoor use, and the distinction is crucially important. Outdoor decorations are waterproof and weather resistant, making them safer to use outdoors. Indoor decorations are only made to be safe in a sheltered environment away from harsh weather and light. Using indoor decorations outside is an unsafe practice that wastes money by ruining decorations and potentially creating a shock or fire hazard.

In addition to checking the rating of Halloween decorations, it is important to plan to distribute decorations and electronics so as not to overload outlets and circuits. Overloading outlets can cause circuit wiring to overheat, making the wire insulation melt, which can cause an electrical fire. Try to put decorations on their own outlets and use circuits in different rooms whenever possible.

Use Surge Protectors For Safety

A surge protector is a type of electrical device that helps to protect a home from damage caused by power surges. Power surges can happen for various reasons, including lightning strikes, downed power lines, and even faults in a home's electrical system. While they may not seem like a big deal, power surges can cause serious damage to a house, appliances, and anything plugged into a home’s outlets.

Surge protectors work by directing excess electricity away from a home's wiring and into the ground. This protects the house from electrical fires and other damage caused by power surges. Surge protectors are an essential part of any home safety plan and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Surge protectors are also important for protecting Halloween decorations. These devices prevent large spikes in voltage from damaging the delicate electronics in Halloween inflatables and lighting. Adding surge protectors to a decorating scheme is a win-win for safety for any seasonal decorating.

About Trustworthy Electric

Trustworthy Electric has over 25 years of experience serving Montgomery, AL residents, and the surrounding areas. They have a service available to safely install holiday lights for homeowners. They offer military discounts, customer education, and a membership plan with perks. Call them today for electrical services or holiday lighting in Montgomery, AL.

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Are Your Outlets Ready for Spooktacular Halloween Decorations?

Be Fang-Tastically Fashionable With Magical Lights and Halloween Trees

Back off Christmas, it’s Halloween season! The hottest new craze in decorating for the spooky season includes festive orange and black lighting and terrifyingly trendy Halloween trees. Homes across the country are decorating their yards and living rooms with kooky ornaments, creepy lights, and haunting embellishments. With the arrival of fun, new trends come a slew of new in-home demands. Many new decorations require an electrical outlet to function. Is the house ready for the challenge? Read on to find out more about prepping the house for the season of fright and lights.

Consider Outlet Upgrades

Outlets take a lot of heat in their time of use. Every time something is plugged in or unplugged, the outlet experiences a bit of wear and tear. Overtime, connectivity between the outlet and plugs will be reduced before the outlet finally gives out. Consider replacing and upgrading electrical outlets when any of the following starts to happen:

The Outlets Are...Vintage: If the home’s outlets are beginning to fall into the “retro” category, it’s time to retire them. The older the outlet, the more likely they are to be worn down. Older outlets also aren’t capable of keeping up with most modern appliances’ demands for power. Upgrading these units even if they aren’t damaged, will increase the efficiency of the home’s electrical system.

The Outlet is Warped: If the electrical outlet has become discolored or is starting to crack, it needs to be replaced. Warped and damaged units pose a danger to a home’s occupants and are no longer considered safe for use.

The Outlets are Ungrounded: Most modern homes are built with grounded outlets, but many older homes have only a few or sometimes no grounded outlets. This particular type of outlet provides an extra path for electricity to travel through via the third prong. This extra path prevents short circuits and makes the outlets safer for the home.

Understanding the Two Types of Electrical Outlets (GFCI and AFCI)

Most homes use one of two types of electrical outlets, either GFCI or AFCI outlets.

- GFCI Outlets: GFCI stands for “ground fault circuit interrupter.” These types of outlets are legally required to be used in any home area with a higher risk of electric shocks. They are typically found in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. These units detect an imbalance in electrical currents and will shut off when one is detected. They are more sensitive than older units and protect against electrocution.

AFCI Outlets: AFCI stands for “arc-fault circuit interrupters.” These units primarily protect the home from excessive heat caused by arcing currents of electricity. Devices that overheat or have damaged wires are common causes of arcing currents in a house’s electrical system. The AFCI units detect any dangerous arcs and shut down the receiving outlet when they are detected. These units are typically installed as a type of circuit breaker and are often found in living spaces, such as the bedroom, living room, and kitchen. They are often used in tandem with GFCI to provide the best electrical protection in the home.

Consider Choosing a Professional

Electrical work is no joking matter. Professional electricians are trained to work with dangerous materials and can keep the home safe and secure during their work. Choosing to work with a professional protects the investment of the home, as their work must follow all state and federal guidelines and usually includes a warranty of satisfaction.

By prepping the house’s electrical system using these tips, it’ll be easy to stay fashionably frightening this Halloween. Have fun with the shockingly spooky new trend and know that the house will be safe for every season by following these tips.

About Trustworthy Electric Inc.

For over twenty years, Trustworthy Electric Inc has been helping homeowners with all their electrical needs. Their affordable prices and exemplary work has made them a household name in the community. Contact them today for outlet services in Montgomery, AL, and the surrounding areas.

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Shocking Electrician Costumes For a Hilarious Halloween!

This Year's Top Electrical Costumes

Halloween is such a great time of year! When else can you dress up as your favorite celebrity or as a literal dragon? Sure, maybe when you play Dungeons & Dragons in the basement, but this is about October chills and fun! If you’re looking for some great electrician costumes this Halloween, then check out the list below.

Bark Sparks

Listen. Dogs are great. Everyone can agree on that. But you know what makes dogs even better? Putting them in a dog costume this Halloween! And though there are a lot of different options for your best friend in the whole world (who’s the best boy?) a shockingly simple costume for Fido is a ghostly sheet and a lightbulb inside a pumpkin to illuminate his spooky, yet adorable, grin.

So, don’t be afraid to dress your pooch this Halloween. Everyone will love it!

Shock Your Tyke

Now, typically kids and electricity don’t mix. So, when you have little tots roaming around the house it’s always smart to baby proof the outlets. Unless it’s Halloween!

Okay, just kidding. You don’t really want your kiddo to get an electrical shock. But making it seem like that’s what happened is a great, and easy, costume for your child this October. A scorched shirt, some hair that sticks straight up, a little makeup and you’ve got a kid who looks like they stuck a fork in an outlet.

Bonus: kids love to get messy and dirty so they’re sure to love this costume, too! And that’s a win for everyone.

A Bright Idea

Electrician costumes don’t always have to be actual electricians. It can be worthwhile to think outside the box. If you try hard enough, maybe you’ll have a eureka moment and a little lightbulb will light up above your head!

Actually, that doesn’t really happen, but it could make a really great Halloween costume! One that would probably delight and shock everyone who saw you, and for good reason! When you have a costume idea as great as this one, you have to show it off.

A Simple Solution

Costumes can take a lot of work. There’s special clothing. Makeup that takes forever to wash off. Wigs or hair that needs to be sprayed or ratted. What if you want an invite to the costume party but you don’t actually want to, like, wear a costume?

Well, a simple t-shirt, like this one here, may suffice! It’s easy, and clever, and people will enjoy how you skirted around the “costume required” bit on the invitation, which will make you look smart and fun. And having fun is what Halloween is all about.

The Classic

The cliché electrician costume is, of course, an electrician who has been violently shocked or electrocuted! Scorched clothing and hair sticking everywhere!

But, listen, it’s a cliché because it’s great! Classic even! And if you’re someone who likes a costume with a lot of details, then this one is for you. You can stuff your tool belt with electrical tools and doodads, scorch your jeans in just the right way, and use the perfect amount of makeup to really sell that “Just got shocked!” look you’re going for. And that’s what a great costume is all about.

Turn to Trustworthy Electric for Electricians You Can Trust

Trustworthy Electric serves the Montgomery, AL area with fast, same day service. Fully licensed electricians offer upfront pricing and a problem-solving guarantee. For over 20 years they’ve worked hard to earn the trust of their clientele.