Safety is always a huge concern for every homeowner. Your home is likely the biggest investment you have ever or will ever make, so it’s important to ensure that you limit the risk of accidents and damage as much as possible.
One area of your home that you don’t likely spend too much time thinking about is your outdoor lighting. You might throw up a string of lights on the patio, or install a few motion sensing lights in the backyard, but have you made sure that you’re doing it safely? Just because it’s outside doesn’t mean it doesn’t pose a risk to your home, so it’s important to properly install your outdoor lighting to protect what’s yours.
We suggest the following tips to protect your home and safely maintain your lighting so that you can enjoy your outdoor space all year long.
Make sure your fixtures are outdoor rated
When choosing a lighting fixture for your outdoor space, whether it’s a porch light, a motion sensor or a string of lights for the deck, make sure it is actually made to withstand any weather conditions like rain, snow or extreme heat/cold. Using the wrong light fixtures is not only a waste of money as they will likely break as soon as they are exposed to any kind of weather but they also pose a risk to your home and have a potential to start electrical fires.
This doesn’t just apply to your fixtures. Make sure the bulbs and extension cords you choose for your fixtures are outdoor rated as well. Choosing the materials will ensure that you don’t have to replace them frequently and will also protect your home.
Make sure your receptacles are weather-resistant
Ensure that you have outdoor receptacles installed for your power source options, even if you are working with temporary lighting. It’s a safer and a more presentable means of getting the power you need from one point to the outdoors instead of running a cord through the window or the doorway which could be a trip hazard. Your receptacles should be able to handle hot, cold, and damp conditions.
Invest In GFCI Protection
The use of a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI in short, is a protection measure. You should install GFCI power outlets in any section of your home where you might need to plug something in and still have a grounded electricity delivery. GFCI should be installed in the basements, kitchens, garages, bathrooms, attics, crawl space, and the porch for when you need to pull some electricity to your garden.
Watch Out for Flammable Materials
Avoid installing your lights next to materials that catch fire quickly, especially if you are using lighting materials that produce heat. The last thing you need is an electrical fire that can quickly spread from your outdoor area into your home.
Of course, the best way to protect your home and ensure that your outdoor lighting is properly installed is to call in the professionals. We can guarantee that your lighting will enhance your outdoor space while also limiting any risk or danger to your home. When it comes to electrical installation, it’s always best to work with an expert to protect your home. Give us a call to talk about your outdoor lighting needs! (804) 758-4314