5 Things Every Calgary Homeowner Should Ask Their Electrician About
Here are 5 things our electricians agree on that everyone should know.
- 02 Nov 2026
- 3 min read
Safety Tips From An Electrician: Is Your Electrical System Ready For The Holiday Season?
Is your outdoor electrical system ready for the holiday season? From an electrician's perspective, there are a few simple precautions to help prevent electrical shocks and house fires. Calgary homeowners often put up lights in cold, snowy conditions, so ladder safety and outdoor-rated electrical equipment are especially important.
Summarize with
1. Are your Christmas lights rated for outdoor use?
Indoor lights aren't designed to handle moisture, snow, and freezing temperatures. Check the packaging and use outdoor-rated lights and outdoor-rated extension cords. Indoor lights and indoor extension cords aren't safe for outdoor use because they lack weatherproofing and can cause issues such as fires, short circuits, or possible fatal electrical shock.
If you are not sure your lights are rated for outdoor use, please do not use them outdoors.
2. Is your outdoor outlet GFCI-protected?
GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This means it constantly monitors the balance of electricity throughout the circuit. This GFCI has a built-in safety sensor that shuts the electricity off when it senses a ground fault. If it is functioning properly, the GFCI-protected outlet protects against electric shock. Make sure to inspect all plugs and connections and protect them from moisture using equipment rated for the conditions.
Need GFCI outlets installed? The Gentlemen Pros install and upgrade GFCI outlets.
3. Are your cords and connections in good condition?
It is important to inspect all cords and extension cords. You need to look for cracked sockets, frayed wires, loose connections, or damaged plugs. Replace the damaged lights rather than trying to repair them with electrical tape.
The golden rule of cord safety is never to use a cord that has been repaired with electrical tape over exposed copper wires.
These exposed wires typically cause fatal shocks and house fires. Also remember to only use lights and extension cords that are rated for outdoor use.
The 4 Whens: When should you immediately toss a cord away?
- When the copper wires are exposed.
- When the cord feels hot or warm to the touch when in use.
- When you see burn marks or melted plastic on the plug or wire.
- When the grounding prong, which is the third prong, is bent or missing.
4. Are you overloading an outlet?
Overloading your outdoor outlets is dangerous. It can cause electrical fires, damage items which are plugged in, and your outdoor lights, security cameras and doorbells can suddenly lose power and turn off. It is important to know your power limit per outlet. Follow the manufacturer's limits for connecting light strands. Avoid plugging too many decorations into one outlet or power bar, and don't run cords under rugs or through doorways where they can be damaged.
5. Are you keeping ladders away from power lines?
It is important to keep ladders, light strings, and other equipment well away from overhead electrical lines. You can get a fatal shock if you get too close. Remember also to use a stable ladder that is on firm ground. Avoid climbing onto icy roofs or placing your ladder on the icy ground. When ice is present, you can slip, or your ladder can slip.
Safety should be your priority.
6. Are your plugs protected from snow and moisture?
Don't leave plugs sitting in snow, puddles, or wet areas. Water creates a path for the electricity to escape. This can cause dangerous shorts in the circuit or cause an electrical fire. It can also cause life-threatening shocks. Use outdoor-rated connection covers where appropriate, and follow the product instructions for proper usage.
7. Why should you turn off the lights outside when you're away or asleep?
Outside lights should be turned off when you are away or asleep. The reason is that it typically eliminates the risk of an unattended electrical fire. It also reduces the wear on your wiring and potentially saves you money on lost energy. Choose products approved for Canadian use and suitable for outdoor conditions.
Pro Tip
A timer or appropriately rated smart plug makes this easy to do. It automatically turns off your lights at a set time, and it helps you not have to think about turning the lights off at the end of a long day.
8. Why is a breaker that keeps tripping dangerous?
Don’t ignore the repeated tripping of a breaker, buzzing, warm outlets, or a burning smell.
They can all indicate an electrical problem. It is important to unplug the decorations if it is safe to do so and call one of our qualified The Gentlemen Pros electricians for circuit breaker services.
Did you know that The Gentlemen Pros install permanent holiday lighting using certified electricians?
The Gentlemen Pros install permanent holiday lights. Our LED permanent lights are professionally installed and wired by a certified electrician from The Gentlemen Pros. They are installed to look clean and low-profile and are typically built to last and withstand year-round elements, no matter the season.
Are you wondering how to buy permanent holiday lighting? There are so many companies that install permanent lighting to choose from. How do you choose a company? Are all lights the same? Does it matter who installs the lights, and does it make a difference?
Why Install Permanent Christmas Lights?
Permanent lights are convenient. They let you enjoy exterior lights year-round without the hassle of putting them up or taking them down after the holidays.
Permanent lights are invisible. The lights blend with the colour of your soffit, which appears seamless. They appear practically invisible during the day, and they shine at night to provide a festive spirit.
Permanent lights are adjustable, meaning you can remotely control the colours via a smartphone app and/or customize the colours and brightness. This provides convenience and flexibility and allows you to personalize your lighting experience.
The permanent lights are energy efficient because they consume less power than traditional bulbs. Our lights use LED technology, which is known for its low power consumption and long lifespan. Typically, this means you can enjoy your outdoor lights without having to worry about high electricity bills.
The Gentlemen Pros permanent lights are installed by soldering the wires. Not all companies install permanent lights the same way. The result is a better product that our customers can rely on due to the wiring being more secure.
A certified electrician from The Gentlemen Pros installs our permanent lighting. Having a certified electrician means they have the knowledge and expertise to handle the electrical wiring safely. They also ensure that your lighting system is up to code with all safety standards. This can reduce the risk of electrical hazards such as fires. It also typically means your lights will operate more efficiently for longer.
Our permanent lights are typically waterproof. It is essential for permanent outdoor lights to be able to handle the multiple seasons we experience in Calgary, including rain, snow and everything in between, including humidity. Waterproofing typically ensures your lights will operate safely by reducing the risk of electrical hazards or possible failures.
Our permanent lights are typically fire-resistant. It is important that permanent outdoor lights are fire-resistant. Having a professional install them helps reduce the risk of a fire.
Why call The Gentlemen Pros Electricians?
A little electrical safety goes a long way. The Gentlemen Pros electricians can service your outdoor outlets or electrical circuits, including breaker repairs. If you are interested in the best quality permanent lighting rated for Calgary weather, give us a call. Let the team at The Gentlemen Pros get it done right the first time.
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