Essential Electrical Winter Safety Tips for Oklahoma Homeowners

Published By Spark Shark Electric
Published January 3, 2024 · Updated July 25, 2026

Oklahoma winter weather can combine heavy electrical loads, portable heaters, damaged utility lines, and generator use. A few careful choices can reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and carbon monoxide exposure.

Use Space Heaters Carefully

A space heater rated at 1,500 watts draws about 12.5 amps at 120 volts. That is a substantial load on a typical household circuit.

• Plug an electric space heater directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip.
• Keep the heater at least three feet from curtains, bedding, furniture, paper, and other combustible material.
• Place it on a stable surface where it cannot be tipped over.
• Do not run other high-draw appliances on the same circuit.
• Turn the heater off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Stop using it if the plug, cord, outlet, or wall plate becomes discolored, damaged, or unusually warm.

Follow the Lighting Manufacturer's Limits

• Use products listed for their intended indoor or outdoor location.
• Replace strings with damaged insulation, loose connections, discolored plugs, or broken sockets.
• Do not connect more strings than the manufacturer permits.
• Use GFCI-protected power for outdoor decorations.
• Do not secure wiring with nails, staples, or anything that can damage the insulation.
• Turn decorative lighting off when leaving home or going to bed.

Treat Downed Lines as Energized

Stay away from every downed line and anything touching it. OG&E warns that the surrounding ground may be energized up to 35 feet away. Keep people and pets back and report the line to the utility. Do not attempt to move it with a stick, broom, or other object.

Operate Portable Generators Outdoors Only

• Operate a portable generator outside and at least 20 feet from the home.
• Direct the exhaust away from windows, doors, vents, and other openings.
• Never operate it in a garage, shed, basement, crawl space, or covered porch.
• Use heavy-duty outdoor extension cords rated for more than the connected load, and keep connections dry.
• Route cords where doors and windows cannot pinch, crush, or damage them.
• Never connect a generator to household wiring through a wall outlet. Use approved transfer equipment installed for that purpose.

Test Smoke and CO Alarms

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
• Replace a CO alarm when its labeled replacement date arrives or its end-of-life signal activates.
• Make sure alarms remain operable during a power outage.

Prepare Before the Next Outage

• Keep flashlights, batteries, and charged power banks available.
• Know how to report an outage and where to find the utility outage map.
• Keep generator instructions and correctly rated cords with the equipment.
• Have a safe plan for medications or equipment that require electricity.

Know When to Get Help

For smoke, fire, or immediate danger, leave the home and call 911. For burning odor, repeated breaker trips, damaged service equipment, buzzing, sparking, or unusual bright-and-dim lighting, call Spark Shark Electric at (405) 436-4776. Phone support is available 24/7. The standard $59 dispatch fee applies, with applicable evening or emergency service fees based on the appointment time.

Related Electrical Help

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• Why You Need a Professional for Generator Installation in Oklahoma
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Primary Sources

• CPSC Portable Generator Safety
• CPSC Fire Safety Information Center