When heading out on vacation, you probably already have a long list of things to remember to do. To ensure your trip and home are safer, you might want to add a few items around electrical safety. Indiana Electric Cooperatives has a list of safety tips to keep in mind.

Mix up your lighting
You might think you’re fooling burglars if you leave a light or two on for your vacation, but bulbs can get very hot or make the fixture hot when left on for extended periods, creating a potential hazard.

To keep some lights on, use a motion-sensing outdoor lighting system and programmable timers for inside lights. Today’s timers usually have settings, including a randomized setting, which creates the illusion that different rooms are in use at various times.

Unplug to be more secure
Unplugging all appliances and electronics that aren’t necessary while you’re gone can help secure your electrical system. This can help reduce the chances of an electrical fire and prevent potential disasters in case of power surges or lightning strikes. You might unplug items like coffee makers, toasters, televisions, and home entertainment systems.

Check your temporary home
When staying at a hotel, condo, or short-term rental, keep your eyes open for electrical hazards. When you check in, look for overloaded outlets, extension cords in use, outlets that get too hot, and the smell of overheated wires. Exercise caution when you find issues. If they’re too dangerous to handle yourself, let management know immediately. If they don’t fix the situation or refund your deposit, go somewhere else and report them to authorities.