One of the best parts of summertime is that it is the best time for holding events outdoors. Be it a corporate event or a get-together, and there are endless options to theme and decorate that quintessential summer soiree.
Making it aesthetically pleasing, some people use hanging lights/ bulbs on the patio and also some wrap tall trees with string lights. These electric works can pose a risk to the attendees as electrical faults have become everyday events.
However, we have rounded up essential and simple safety tips to help keep yourself and your friends safe at the planned event. Understand and follow the below-mentioned couple of basic rules as per recommended safety codes and standards.
1. Use (GFCI) Integrated Outlets for All Exterior Lighting and Wiring:
It is highly recommended as per law, i.e. they are a requirement as per safety norms to ensure your safety. Any imbalance in the incoming and outgoing current would be instantly sensed by these lightning protection system or power surge protective devices and then break the circuit. In case if electricity comes in contact with water, Ground fault circuit interrupters would come into action to keep you safe. Other than outdoors, they would be required indoors at every outlet, such as in the kitchen, bathrooms, and beyond. They are important "must include" safety provisions to defend against electrocution and fire hazard. GFCI outlet must be installed before planning the event.
2. Pick Outdoor-Rated Fixtures and Extension Cords:
You must understand that not all the fixtures and extension cords are the same or designed for the same purpose. Choose only those extension cords that are intended and designed to use outdoors.
3. Find the Right Light Bulbs:
The logic is – outdoor rated bulbs are for outdoor fixtures. Check the maximum wattage capacity of fixtures and choose accordingly. It can be concluded that the compatibility of the bulbs with the fixture must be checked.
4. Inspecting Lights and Power Cords Is a Prerequisite:
If you have stored your outdoor power cords and lighting without using them for quite a long time span, they must be checked before using. There may be warning signs such as cracked fixtures, connections loose, fraying cords, or even burn marks that may indicate electric mishaps in its future use.
5. Never overload the circuit:
Make sure appliances connected to a circuit does not draw excess power as it's hard on the circuit to manage complete outdoor electrical needs.
6. Wiring and Cabling in the Electric System Should Be Proper:
If this is not practised, then it may lead to crucial electrical mishaps and fire hazards.
7. Check That Earthing/ Grounding Installation Is Proper and Maintenance-free:
Every electric system must have the base protection system called earthing system properly installed as this maintenance-free earthing system provides zero potential path for fault occurrences to dissipate.
8. Structural Lightning Protection System for External Protection Is a Mandatory Installation That We Must Invest in:
They are essential for every structure as if the structure conducts the lightning discharge, and it can cause damage to both the design and the electric system within the structure. Your form must have lightning arresters and a down conductor network, a proven conventional lightning protection technology for protection from the lightning strike.
9. Be Sure to Incorporate Surge Protection Devices at the Mains Panel and Equipment Level to Dissipate Overloads, Power Sags or Dips:
Surge protectors are internal protection devices that detect power surges and dissipate them to the ground, protecting sensitive electric circuitry and evading electric mishaps and risking people's lives. They are available in different ranges of voltage and current ratings designed for various applications, which also must be checked before buying and installing one.
