3 Tips for Staying Safe With Outdoor Outlets

Electrical outlets are handy to have outdoors so that you have a place to plug in power or decorative lights. However, having outdoor outlets can also be dangerous. You need to take measures to say save when you have outdoor electrical outlets. Using these three tips is a good place to start so that you don’t have to worry about the safety of yourself or your family when working around outdoor electrical outlets.

1. Avoid Wet Areas

Everyone knows that water and electrical outlets don’t mix, so it’s common knowledge not to use electrical items around sources of water. It’s also never a good idea to install an outdoor electrical outlet in a place where it will get wet. You can’t avoid rain, but you can cover your outlet with a protective barrier to keep it from getting wet. However, you should never install one near a pool or hot tub because you risk getting it wet and electrocuting yourself. Train your kids to keep water away from the outlet to keep them safe. 

2. Don’t Use Extension Cords

Extension cords can be useful when you need to plug in an electric item and use it far away from the outlet. However, it’s never a good idea to use an extension cord designed for indoor use for an outdoor purpose. Indoor extension cords are not as durable as outdoor ones, so they lack the capability to channel energy safely. It’s best to avoid the use of extension cords entirely when possible, but if you have to use one with your outdoor electrical socket, make sure you use an extension cord designed to be used outside. They are more durable and thicker so you don’t have to worry about them fraying as easily as the indoor ones.

3. Watch for Potential Hazards

Operating electrical items always come with some level of risk. You can minimize the danger by thoroughly examining your cords for nicks and cuts that may expose the inner wiring. You should never operate an item with a tangled cord, so even if you are running short on time, you should carefully untangle it to avoid hazards.

If you are using extension cords, you need to warn everyone in the vicinity of where the cord is in your yard. If someone trips over the cord, he or she could be injured by the fall or damage your outlet by pulling the cord out of the socket. If everyone is aware of the potential hazard, there is less risk of anyone getting hurt.

Another possible hazard to watch out for is the brush getting too close to your outlet. If you forget an outlet exists and let the underbrush grow too close to it, it could spark an electrical fire if the outlet is not properly maintained. You may find it helpful to make a list of your electrical sockets and refer to it on a regular basis to ensure that you do not forget about an outlet. It’s also a good habit to keep you are bushes neatly trimmed so that you don’t have to worry about them brushing up against your outdoor outlets.

Contact a Professional for Help

If you want to install an outside electrical outlet, you should never try to complete the task yourself. It is crucial to contact an electrician in Regina to install the outlet for you. Handyman Connection has experts who specialize in electrical repair services, so we can provide you with all of the electrical outlets you need for your outdoor spaces. If you use the tips discussed above, you can stay safe around electrical outlets, so contact us today to get a quote on outdoor outlet insulation.