As the holidays approach, it’s time to break out the decorations and lights that add that magical touch to your home. But while festive lighting brightens up the season, it’s important to remember that powering all those decorations can put a strain on your home’s electrical system. Before you go all-out with your display, ask yourself—is your electrical panel ready? Here are some electrical safety tips for powering decorations and lights this holiday season.
Know Your Electrical Panel’s Capacity
Your home’s electrical panel controls the power distributed throughout your house. Each panel has a specific capacity, measured in amps, to support the electrical needs of your home. Before adding dozens of strands of holiday lights, inflatables, or other high-wattage decorations, make sure your panel can handle the additional load. Older panels or those not designed for modern electrical usage may not have enough capacity to support the extra draw from holiday lights.
If you’re unsure of your panel’s limits, contact Lion Home Service to schedule an inspection or upgrade. Our team can assess whether your current panel can handle the holiday season’s demands and ensure everything is running efficiently.
Use GFCI Outlets for Outdoor Lighting
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets are designed to prevent electrical shock by shutting off the power when an imbalance is detected. These outlets are crucial for any outdoor lighting or decoration setup, especially in areas exposed to moisture. When installing outdoor lights or inflatables, make sure they’re plugged into GFCI outlets for maximum safety. If your home doesn’t have GFCI outlets, consider having them installed before setting up your decorations.
Avoid Overloading Circuits
One of the most common electrical hazards during the holidays is overloaded circuits. Plugging too many lights, decorations, or electronics into a single outlet or extension cord can lead to overheating and increase the risk of a fire. To prevent this:
- Spread out your electrical load across different outlets.
- Avoid using old or frayed extension cords.
- Limit the number of high-wattage items plugged into one circuit.
Using energy-efficient LED holiday lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs can also help reduce the amount of electricity your decorations consume.
Check for Loose or Corroded Wires
Loose or corroded wiring in your electrical panel can lead to poor connections and create a fire hazard, especially when your panel is working overtime during the holidays. Before adding extra load, have one of our licensed electricians inspect your wiring. This is particularly important if your home is older, as wiring can degrade over time.
Install Surge Protection
Power surges can happen at any time, and holiday lights or decorations can contribute to sudden spikes in electricity. Protect your home and your expensive electronics by installing a whole-home surge protector. These devices help guard against sudden power surges that can damage your lights, appliances, and other electronics.
Your electrical system is the backbone of your home’s holiday decorations, and ensuring that it’s ready for the task will help you enjoy a safe, bright, and stress-free season.
Call Lion Home Service at (970) 510-0522 to schedule an electrical inspection. Let us help you light up your home with peace of mind!
Need electrical help for your lights and decorations this holiday season? Contact our electricians in the following locations:
- Fort Collins
- Loveland
- Greeley
- Longmont
- Windsor
- Boulder
- Estes Park
- Bellvue
- Fort Lupton
- Eaton
- Fort Morgan
We also offer whole-house generator services in the following locations:
- Fort Collins
- Loveland
- Greeley
- Longmont
- Windsor
- Boulder
- Estes Park
- Bellvue
- Fort Lupton
- Eaton
- Fort Morgan
