If you plan on celebrating the 4th of July at your home this year, one of the main things to focus on is ensuring you celebrate safely. In the U.S., more fires occur on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year. That means it’s especially important that you take steps to reduce the risk of starting a fire.
Be Extra Careful If Setting Off Fireworks
Setting off aerial and explosive fireworks like bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, and larger firecrackers is banned in Minnesota and many other places. Even with the ban, many people still get them elsewhere and then set them off on the holiday. Lighting fireworks is undoubtedly a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate the country’s independence. However, fireworks are potentially dangerous and can easily start a fire or seriously injure someone.
If you do decide to set off any fireworks this 4th of July, it’s important that you try to make sure you do so as safely as possible. That means ensuring you only set off aerial or explosive fireworks in an open area that isn’t near any power lines. The last thing you want to happen is for your fireworks to catch your home or anything in the area on fire, and there is always a risk that this could happen if you’re not careful. There is also at least a small risk that a firework could get caught on a power line on its way down and catch fire.
Minnesota does allow the sale and use of some non-explosive, non-aerial fireworks like sparklers, spark-emitting tubes, cones, snakes, and smaller, less powerful firecrackers. While these types of fireworks are less of a hazard and mostly considered safe, they can still be a fire hazard if not used carefully. That’s why you should make sure that no one uses these or any other type of firecrackers near your house or any trees, shrubs, or dry vegetation. No matter what type of fireworks you’re using, you should always have a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby in case you need to deal with a small fire.
Only Use GFCI Outlets
Upgrading your outdoor receptacles to Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets before your 4th of July party is an easy way to make your celebration safer. You may also want to consider installing additional ones so that you don’t run into issues with overloading the existing outlets or having to use a power strip to plug in things like string lights or an outdoor entertainment system.
GFCI outlets are specifically designed to prevent or at least reduce the risk of both fatal electrocution and electrical fires that can result from a ground fault. Electricity will always flow into a grounded surface by taking the path where it encounters the least resistance. A ground fault is when the electrical current flows in an unintended path between the electrical source and a grounded surface.
This type of fault most commonly happens because an electrical device is damaged or defective. For instance, if the power cord or internal components in the device are faulty, the current can flow out of the wires into any nearby grounded object. That means the electricity could end up flowing into the other parts of the device and shock or electrocute you as soon as you touch it. Similarly, the electricity could flow out of the device or outlet into any nearby metal objects, causing them almost instantly to get hot enough that they can start a fire.
Ground faults can also occur if an outlet, extension cord or electrical device gets exposed to water. Water will conduct the electricity and allow the current to flow unimpeded out of the device, cord or outlet into a person, metal object or anything else that is grounded. This issue is why the National Electric Code now requires the use of GFCI outlets in all outdoor power receptacles and anywhere else near a potential water source.
A GFCI outlet works by continually monitoring the amperage of the current flowing through the live wire and neutral wire in an outlet or extension cord. The amperage in each wire should always be the same, but a ground fault causes the amperage in the live wire to suddenly spike. This happens because the electricity starts flowing unimpeded since it suddenly encounters less resistance on its way to the ground. A GFCI is basically an internal circuit breaker in the outlet that will immediately break the circuit and stop the current from flowing if a ground fault occurs.
Get Your Electrical System Inspected
Experts recommend having an electrical safety inspection performed every year. If you haven’t had your electrical system inspected recently, it’s a good idea to get it done before the 4th of July if you plan on hosting a gathering. An inspection ensures all outdoor outlets and other parts of your electrical system are safe and up to code.
During an electrical inspection, a licensed electrician will examine your entire electrical system. This includes checking the condition and connections of all wiring, inspecting circuit breakers and fuses, and ensuring that your electrical panel is properly sized and functioning. The electrician will also test all outlets, switches, and other components to ensure they are working correctly and safely. They will recommend necessary repairs or upgrades if any issues are found, such as outdated or damaged wiring.
This is also a good time to check if your electrical panel is the right size for your needs. If you plan to have guests overnight and anticipate using more power than usual, you may need to upgrade to a larger panel. This upgrade can help prevent issues like circuit breaker trips and reduce the risk of electrical fires.
Make Sure You’re Grilling Safely
If you’re having a 4th of July barbecue, you should take steps to make sure you grill safely. Grills cause more than 9,000 fires a year, and over 25% of these happen because the grill was on a balcony, patio, or just too close to an exterior wall. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that you should place grills at least 10 feet away from any structure to prevent fires. Also, make sure to clean your grill thoroughly before using it, as around 20% of fires occur due to accumulated grease.
Upgrading your backyard with additional outdoor lighting is also something to consider. It will ensure you can grill safely once the sun sets, and it will make it easy to create a more festive, inviting atmosphere.
Contact the Professionals
If you need to upgrade your outdoor power receptacles with GFCI outlets, have your electrical system inspected, or upgrade your outdoor lighting, you can turn to Finch Home Solutions for help. We serve customers in Shakopie and throughout the Twin Cities area, and our team has years of experience performing all types of electrical installations and repairs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.
