Preventing Electrical Fires in Outdoor Spaces
Los Angeles residents enjoy the outdoors year-round, and adding convenient outlets and ambient lighting to the patio or yard makes outdoor spaces even more appealing.
Outdoor electrical outlets are useful for yard work, entertaining, hanging holiday lights, or working outdoors on your laptop. They allow you to easily plug in your electric lawn mower, an outdoor ceiling fan, a grill, or a sound system. The more outdoor outlets you have, the fewer extension cords you need to use and fewer tripping hazards as a result.
Adding electrical outlets to areas exposed to the elements comes with some risks. Read on to discover some important outdoor electrical safety tips to help you enjoy the benefits of outdoor electrical access.
Common Causes of Outdoor Electrical Fires
Schedule an in-home inspection with an Express Electrical electrician to avoid these and other electrical fire hazards in your outdoor space.
Overloaded circuits
Overloaded circuits cause serious electrical hazards, especially in homes with breaker boxes over 20 years old. If you want to install additional lighting, appliances, or other outdoor electrical services in an older home, have a professional electrician assess your circuit breaker capacity before installation.
Faulty or outdated wiring
Faulty wiring is often found in older, outdated appliances, cords, or receptacles. If you see a frayed wire, a worn cord, or degraded or broken wiring, don’t use it. Never run a cord or wire under a carpet or through a door or window where it could be damaged.
Extension cord misuse
Extension cords are meant for short-term temporary connections. Appliances, including outdoor units, should be plugged directly into a wall outlet. If you don’t have an outlet in a convenient place, our experienced electricians can put one in for you.
Inappropriate outdoor appliance and tool use
Always check that your outdoor lighting, tools, and appliances are rated for outdoor use before installing them in your yard. LA is known for its temperate Mediterranean-style climate, but moisture, sunlight, and other elements cause damage over time.
Wrong outlets
The California Electrical Code requires outlets to have ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) if installed near any water source or outdoor area. These outlets trip and turn off automatically if there’s a short circuit or current leakage, preventing dangerous electrical shocks.
Identifying Electrical Hazards in Your Yard & Patio
Your outdoor electrical system might be unsafe if you notice any of the following signs.
Water damage
If you see signs of water damage to electrical components in your yard, turn the power off and call an electrician for help. This is a serious problem that could result in hazardous shocks or fires.
Faulty extension cords
If your yard setup includes indoor cords or damaged extension cords, unplug them immediately. Undamaged, outdoor-rated cords are essential for outside use and are well worth the cost.
Indoor lighting
When hanging string lights or installing other outdoor lighting and decor, always check that it’s rated for outdoor use. This includes the lightbulbs, fixtures, and any connected decorations. LED lighting is often the best choice for outdoor use. LED lights last longer and offer energy-efficient solar-powered options.
Overloaded outlets
Adding extension cords and outlet adapters to plug in all your fun outdoor lighting, gardening equipment, and appliances can be tempting. However, an overloaded outlet is a fire hazard. Stick to plugging your decor into the wall outlet directly. If you need more power outdoors, a professional electrician will help you do it safely.
Safe Outdoor Electrical Practices
Some easy things you can do to keep your family safe include:
- Practice safe use of extension cords outdoors, keeping them undamaged and only using them temporarily.
- Don’t use electrical appliances outdoors in wet weather or when the ground is wet.
- Install weatherproof covers for outdoor outlets.
- Rely on a professional electrician for proper outdoor lighting installation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common mistakes to avoid when working with outdoor electricity include:
- Connecting wires outside a protected electrical box or leaving wires unprotected
- Installing an outlet without a ground wire or GFCI
- Wiring the outlet backwards
- Choosing the wrong wire length
- Choosing indoor-rated lighting or appliances
Avoid these mistakes by having a licensed electrician do the installation for you. The electricians at Express Electrical will handle any job, big or small.
Why Professional Help Matters
Outdoor electrical fire prevention is a concern that professional electricians take seriously. They’re trained to spot risky installations or wiring issues and can fix them properly.
The Express Electrical team is committed to safety and providing high-quality solutions to your electrical concerns. We’ll assess your outdoor outlet safety, lighting, and yard set-up before offering suggestions or installing new outlets.
Electricity is a powerful force that homeowners often take for granted. Trust us to set you up for success by inspecting your electrical system and making sure your outdoor landscape or patio setup is safe.
Contact Express Electrical Today
Los Angelinos can count on the pros at Express Electrical for all their electrical needs, indoors and out. We offer quick emergency service response times, thorough electrical inspections, and convenient repairs on your schedule.
Our electricians have experience in everything from outdoor electrical outlets and lighting to wiring up swimming pools, jacuzzi tubs, and spas. We’re your local experts on outdoor lighting safety, and we’re available to help you with your new patio setup or landscaping design. Contact us today to request service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use indoor extension cords outdoors?
No. You should never use indoor extension cords outside. Outdoor-rated extension cords with three prongs are safe for short-term use outside. They have a grounding wire and are often made from water-resistant materials like rubber or vinyl. They’re designed to carry more power over a further distance. Most are brightly colored to prevent tripping hazards.
What are the safety considerations for installing outdoor lighting?
Always choose lights and fixtures rated for outdoor use in your climate. Place lights away from flammable materials and places where they can be easily damaged. Have a professional install high-quality wiring and components that are properly sealed against water damage.
Is it safe to use electrical equipment outdoors during wet weather?
No. Using electrical equipment is unsafe when it’s raining, flooding, snowing, or otherwise wet outside. GFCI outlets provide some protection from shock, but water is an excellent electrical conductor and the danger of electrocution is still high with wet electrical equipment.
How can I protect outdoor outlets from the elements?
“Bubble” covers or weatherproof outdoor outlet covers prevent moisture from entering the outlets. If you don’t have GFCI outlets in your outdoor space, call an electrician to install them as soon as possible.
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