An emergency electrician explains the most common summer electrical issues

Shops are covered in dazzling tinsel and baubles.

Radio stations have started blaring out Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas and Wham’s Last Christmas.

It’s almost impossible to secure a booking at your favourite restaurant.

We’ve got a sneaking suspicion that Christmas time is here again!

Jokes aside, Christmas is one of the most magical times of year. Presents, sumptuous food, two weeks of time off… what’s not to love?

Of course, with all the preparations, parties and gift-giving it’s easy to lose track of the other parts in your life.

In our experience, the Christmas holiday is one of the most common times for all sorts of home maintenance emergencies. Not because of Christmas, per say, but because of the combination of summer and more time spent at homing using various electrical systems and devices.

Our emergency electricians explain…

Common electrical issues in summer and around Christmas

Overloaded electrical circuits

We’ve spoken before about the dangers that come with overloaded electrical circuits.

And unfortunately, if there’s any time when overloads are more common than ever, it’s Christmas!

Your Christmas lights and decorations are great in setting the scene and creating a warm home environment.

Another thing they’re great at is overloading your electrical circuits.

Your home’s electrical system has a finite capacity.

Once it goes beyond this capacity, you put yourself at risk of damaging your wiring… or worse, starting an electrical fire!

For many homes, the extra strain caused by Christmas decorations and lights might be all that’s needed to put your circuitry over the edge.

Not to mention, electricity usage goes way up during summer anyways:

• Air conditioning
• Cooking your Christmas feast
• More appliance usage with kids at home during the holidays

All of this results in more amperage passing through your system. And with that comes a higher risk of electrical problems!

And while we’re on the topic of overloaded circuitry…

Blackouts and power outages

Like we mentioned before, overloaded circuits is a leading cause of electrical fires.

Luckily your house has an in-built protection against these.

When your switchboard detects too much power going through your circuits, it automatically cuts the flow of electricity. This protects you from fire and shocks by nipping the problem in the bud.

However, it also leaves you (temporarily) without power!

Due to the increase in demand for electrical during the Christmas season (and summer in general), you may experience rolling blackouts and power failures.

The best solution is to call an emergency electrician like Briggs Electrical to fix the problem ASAP.

Faulty electric lights

With so many sales and bargains in the coming weeks, it can seem like the perfect opportunity to pick up a new set of Christmas lights for your home for next year!

We’re not going to stop you. However, we will leave you with a warning: if possible, avoid cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel lights!

One common issue is that poor and faulty electrical lights tend to overheat.

This melts the insulating rubber sheath that protects the wiring inside. In other cases, they might just be simply poorly made.

Not only does this open you up to the risk of electrical fire (especially if your lights come into contact with your tree, carpet or curtains), but it also exposes the wire, which could cause a nasty electric shock!

This is made even more dangerous by the fact that most Christmas lights are left plugged in overnight. You’ll want to be wary of those bargain bin Christmas lights you might find on sale.

Here are a couple of helpful Christmas lighting tips to ensure safety for your home:

• Inspect the condition of your old and new Christmas lights
• Check if your Christmas lights are designed for indoor or outdoor use
• Read the warnings and make yourself familiar with any potential risks
• Use battery-powered lights instead of electrical ones
• Replace busted bulbs and pulled out cords immediately

Electrical surges

It isn’t just your wiring and appliances that can cause electrical problems during the silly season.

Summer is often accompanied by thunderstorms – these often cause electrical surges.

This is because thunderstorms generate a lot of electricity which can overload your electrical systems.

Moreover, it has the potential to seriously damage your appliances! Electrical outlets without the appropriate level of protection let all of that electricity in.

Prepare for the season of thunderstorms with surge protectors.

These appliances plug directly into your sockets, providing your home with an extra layer of protection against dangerous power spikes.

Need an emergency electrician during the holidays?

Briggs Electrical is ready to take your call, 24/7

Summertime – Christmas in particular – is probably the worst time you could possibly run into electrical problems.

Not only will you have to put up with the sweltering heat, but you’ll also need to find an electrician who’s working over Christmas and can attend to your problems urgently!

Worried you might need an emergency electrician this summer? Briggs Electrical has your back.

Our reliable team of 24-hour emergency electricians provide immediate service for your electrical problems, no matter where you are in Melbourne.

We’ll be working for the duration of Christmas, so you can be sure that the Briggs team will be there when you need us!

Bookmark our phone number today – you never know when you’ll need it! 1300 300 222.

Alternatively, click here to arrange an electrical inspection to find out whether your home or business is ready for the summer!