Winter has arrived in Chico, so now is a good time to take a look at your home's electrical installations and guard against any problems arising. Many people are understandably nervous about calling in electricians, and tend not to do so unless there is a crisis. However, if you don't make sure your home's electrical wiring and devices are properly maintained, it is more likely that a crisis will occur – and you could find yourself left in the dark by loss of power or even hit by an electrical fire. Calling our Chico electricians for repairs and maintenance will give you peace of mind and ensure that you know you are ready for the coming season. Taking this practical step will also help to ensure energy efficiency and save on bills.

Here are 4 top tips to keep in mind during the winter months:

1.  Don't Get Your Wires Crossed

Maybe you had your house rewired when you moved in many years ago – or maybe you've just assumed that everything is OK in that department. This could be a dangerous assumption! In many older homes in particular, the wiring could be deteriorating without you being aware of it. Also, families in 21st-century Chico, like those elsewhere, all tend to have a growing number of electronic devices, which need to be plugged in and charged – but electrical circuits installed decades ago were never intended to deal with these demands. Using power strips in sockets all over the house could easily lead to an overload of an older system.

If you have any doubts about your home's wiring, the safest solution is to call in an expert, and, with 30 years of experience, the Experts In Your Home team of electricians have all the expertise you need. Checking on the wiring and replacing any which is outdated will:

• Improve safety
• Increase energy efficiency
• Give the chance to add in extra sockets

2.  Watch Out for Older Devices

There are many electrical devices which get packed away in a cupboard or the basement over summer, and then brought out again in winter -- but they could give you a nasty shock when you plug them in, and even end up blowing a fuse. These include:

• Electric Blankets - Many people love using these in winter and getting into a warm bed, but old and worn ones pose a fire risk. Get them checked out and discard any with frayed edges.
• Space heaters - Every year, more than 26,000 house fires in the U.S. are caused by electrical problems, with December and January being the danger months. Portable heaters are to blame for many blazes. They should not be plugged in via an extension cord, so, if you need an extra socket, get a licensed electrician to install one.
• Festive Lights - The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 390 fires every year are caused by Christmas trees or other festive lighting, so, again, it is vital to be cautious and not use any lighting with frayed wires or other danger signs.

3.  Fit Electrical Safety Equipment

There are many demands on all of us when it comes to keeping up with property maintenance, but electrical safety is one of the vital areas where it is better to get in experts rather than trying DIY solutions. If your circuit breaker fails to spot a break in your supply, then our team of electricians will check it out thoroughly to put things right and ensure it operates correctly in the future. Having circuit breakers properly installed and maintained is one of the best ways to avoid the risk of fires and electric shocks, not only during winter but all year round. Another essential electrical safety precaution is to fit smoke alarms, which should be placed on each floor of your home. A best practice is to install hardwired detectors, where the batteries are only needed as backup. It's also well worth installing surge protectors in your home to safeguard computers and other electronic equipment.

4.  If in Doubt, Call in the Experts

If you know there is an electrical problem but just aren't sure what it is, then it's time to call for an expert Chico electrician, and our team has a service record which means you can rely on us to help. We are happy to troubleshoot and come up with a fast solution for households in Chico. We will also step in to carry out new installations, upgrade your current electrical system or add new lighting or ceiling fans. If you aren't sure that your electrical system is ready for winter, get in touch now and we will check it out for you.

Make sure you stay safer at home by not trying to do these electrical jobs yourself - download your FREE Guide today: