09/14/2026
Winter Electrical Checklist:
*Protect outdoor outlets - make sure covers are tight fitting to protect from the weather
*Shield outdoor equipment
*Open main electrical panel - make sure every breaker is clearly labeled, and check for any rust, loose switches or strange warmth
*Avoid overloading circuits - spread high wattage items-like space heaters, heated blankets and large kitchen appliances across different electrical circuits. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip; plug it directly into the wall outlet. We recommend using extreme caution with plug in heaters, they can be dangerous if not used correctly
*Test safety detectors like smoke alarms
*Service your heating systems
*Test back up generators
*Gather emergency gear: keep flashlights, extra batteries and a battery powered radio in an easy to reach spot in case a Winter storm knocks out your power
*Holiday lights can overload some circuits - good to check if your plug in location can handle the load.