Cold winter months bring opportunities for cozy moments indoors  — but also some potential hidden dangers. More than 45,000 electrical fires occur in homes each year, according to thea licensed electrician update any damaged or two-prong outlets.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have old and unsafe wiring because electrical work is mostly hidden behind the walls of your home. Remember, however, that wiring problems are a major fire threat. Pay attention to these signs of hidden electrical issues and then get safe by

Lamps and other light fixtures provide necessary illumination but can also pose a risk. Placing a bulb with a higher wattage than a fixture can handle poses a risk for igniting a fire. Heed the maximum wattage allowed for all fixtures and decrease the wattage or replace ones that seem to get excessively hot when lit.

Never decorate a lamp with paper or cloth that could ignite, and keep fixtures away from textiles, like bedding or curtains. Replace cords that are frayed or damaged.    

It just makes sense to remodel a home to suit your needs rather than try to find a new house that will accommodate your desire for a home office or additional living space. A basement remodel is an excellent way to add a lot of living space without having to buy a whole new house. These jobs are best left to the professionals. However, there are plenty of handy folks who can complete some of the basic construction needs. One thing that should never be handled by someone who is not trained and certified is the Burbank electrical requirements that will be necessary. It is best and often required by city code to hire an electrician like those at The Electric Connection to complete the job.

There are too many things that can go wrong when somebody who is not familiar with the dangers of electricity attempts to wire outlets and lighting for a new space. An electrician in Burbank will be able to safely complete the wiring up to code. This is typically necessary to secure home owner’s insurance. It also gives you peace of mind knowing the job is done right and there were no crucial steps missed that could lead to an electrical fire.

During the construction process, you will be able to talk with the electrician and explain what your electrical needs are. If you are remodeling a room into a home office, you will likely want more outlets than a typical room would have. A brighter light fixture may also be warranted. If you hire a contractor to complete the remodel, you will certainly get to have a say in all of this. If you are taking on the bulk of the work yourself, make sure you meet with your electrician early on in the planning process to ensure things will go smoothly. Give The Electric Connection a call today to start discussing your home office addition.

When it comes to crime, it’s evident that there’s an appeal to darkness. Less visibility means less chance of getting caught. The 2014 National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)—an annual Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program publication that’s released by the FBI—includes detailed crime data, such as time of day and type of offense. More than 18,000 law enforcement agencies participate in the UCR Program and provide data voluntarily. NIBRS’ Crimes Against Persons data shows that of the 1,093,466 incidents reported in 2014, 562,104 (51.4 percent) were between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crimes Against Property data shows a lower—yet significant—39.4 percent of 3,493,904 reported incidents taking place between those same hours.

In an attempt to lessen crime and increase energy savings, many cities and businesses have started replacing traditional high-intensity discharge (HID) lights with LED bulbs, light engines, and fixtures. These actions have paid off. In 2008, Los Angeles began a project to retrofit 215,000 lights with LED lights. Since implementation of the project, color-rendering indexes (CRI) than HID fixtures. CRI refers to how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects, people, and surroundings. The CRI of an HID bulb can range from zero (high-pressure sodium) to about 65 (metal-halide). LED fixtures are capable of having CRIs of 75 and higher. Lights with a CRI of 80 or higher are considered to show colors most accurately and increase visibility, which is especially important for security purposes and parking lot surveillance.

1.  Add an accent lamp to your dining room console.  Find an accent lamp that is slender enough for your console table.  Locate outlets behind consoles to keep cords hidden from view.  A single lamp works well for a smaller service area.   Consider a pair of accent lamps for an extra long dining buffet/console table.

“Brittany” from Chelsea House

2.  Dress up a vacant corner and extend your room’s design with an accent lamp on a pedestal.  An accent lamp atop a tall pedestal should stand between 5-6 feet above the floor.

To find the correct height for an accent table lamp by a reading chair:  While you are seated, estimate the height from tabletop to your eye-level.  Choose an accent lamp with a light source at that height.

“Masterpiece” from Butler Specialty

3.  Decorate your patio with a few accent lamps.  Be sure lamps are UL-listed for damp locations when looking for patio accent lamps.

“Brent” from Kenroy Home, suitable for damp locations

For more information on accent lamp applications or to see the latest lighting designs, visit 1800lighting.com.