Spring Outdoor Electrical Safety: Getting Your Deck and Garden Ready

September marks the start of spring here in Melbourne, which usually means more time spent outdoors firing up the barbecue, stringing up some deck lighting, and getting the garden sorted before the warmer months arrive. Before you dive into outdoor entertaining season, it's worth giving the electrical side of your deck, garden and alfresco area a quick once-over. Here's what to look out for with outdoor electrical safety checks.

Check your outdoor power points are weatherproof

Outdoor power points cop a fair bit: rain, humidity, garden sprinklers and the odd curious pet. They should have a weatherproof cover. If a cover is cracked, missing, or a power point looks discoloured or feels warm to touch, it's time to get it checked rather than keep using it.

Safety switches before entertaining season

Safety switches (RCDs) are what cut the power in a fraction of a second if something goes wrong. They're especially important outdoors where the risk of electric shock is higher. If you're not sure whether your home even has safety switches fitted, that's worth having a licensed electrician look at sooner rather than later.

Give garden and deck lighting a once-over

Spring is a favourite time to catch up with friends and family outdoors long after the sun goes down, so it's worth checking that garden lighting, deck lights and any string lighting are all in good working order. A few things to look for:

• Cracked or yellowing outdoor light fittings, which can let moisture in over time.

• Loose fittings or exposed wiring, particularly on lights that have been up all winter.

• Whether it's time to swap old halogen garden lights for LED options; they run cooler, use less power and often suit outdoor settings better.

• Timers or sensors that aren't triggering properly, which can be a sign of a wiring or connection issue rather than just a dud globe.

  
  

  

  our findings when inspecting a 'faulty' weatherproof powerpoint

Outdoor electrical safety with powerpoints

It's tempting to run an extension cord out to power the fairy lights, pizza oven or an outdoor speaker for a weekend get-together, but cords and powerboards designed for indoor use aren't built to handle damp grass, rain or being coiled up under garden furniture. Where you can, it's safer to have a qualified electrician install a proper weatherproof outdoor power point exactly where you need it, rather than relying on cords running across the lawn or deck.

Planning new outdoor power or lighting?

If you're thinking about adding new outdoor power points, garden lighting, a pergola with built-in lighting, or power for an outdoor kitchen ahead of summer, spring is a good time to plan it, well before the peak entertaining season and the usual pre-Christmas rush on tradies. Getting it installed properly and safely from the start means you can enjoy the space without worrying about extension cords or overloaded powerboards.

When it's time to call a licensed electrician

A few signs it's worth booking an inspection rather than a DIY fix: safety switches that won't reset, power points that are warm, cracked or discoloured, flickering outdoor lights, or an older home where you're not sure what's on which circuit. Getting these things checked before you're relying on the deck or garden every weekend saves any nasty surprises once spring entertaining season is in full swing.

Reach out to chat to us today if you'd like a hand getting your outdoor spaces electrically ready for spring. Modern Electrical Group proudly services Frankston South, Mt Eliza, Langwarrin, Seaford, the Mornington Peninsula, and Melbourne wide.