Electrical Safety During The Holidays

The holiday season brings plenty of excitement, parties, gatherings, gift buying, family meals, and, of course, decorating. While Danville may not be known for large holiday displays, Lexington certainly is, and many homeowners love going all out. Before you plug in your lights, it’s important to be aware of the electrical risks that often come with holiday decorating. Electrical safety becomes especially important during the holidays as homeowners plug in lights, inflatables, and decorations. Practicing proper electrical safety can help prevent fires, tripped breakers, and costly repairs.

Fortunately, a few simple precautions can go a long way in preventing fires, electrical overloads, outages, and expensive repairs.

Common Holiday Electrical Safety Issues

Overloaded outlets and power strips can overheat and trip breakers. In fact, plugging too many decorations into a single outlet is one of the biggest holiday hazards. Daisy-chaining cords (plugging multiple cords into each other or using adaptors to fit more cords on a single outlet) also increases the risk and should be avoided.

Damaged or old holiday lights can have cracked wires, loose bulbs, or frayed cords. All of which can lead to an increased risk of shock and fire. 

Indoor lights aren’t designed to handle moisture of any kind. Using indoor lights outside can lead to shock hazards and short circuits. 

Holiday Electrical Safety Tips for Using Lights

1. Choose the right type of lighting

Holiday lights typically come in two types: LED and incandescent.

• LED lights are energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and give off very little heat, making them the safer choice.
  
• Incandescent lights, while cheaper, consume more energy, run hotter, and are more likely to pose a fire risk.
  

No matter which type you choose, make sure the lights are UL certified or carry another recognized safety label. This certification ensures the product has been tested and meets safety standards.

For outdoor displays, ensure your lights and inflatables are specifically labeled for outdoor use. Outdoor-rated products are designed to withstand wind, moisture, and temperature changes.

2. Inspect decorations before use

Before hanging lights or inflating decorations, take time to examine all cords, plugs, and sockets.

Check for:

• Frayed wires
  
• Damaged insulation
  
• Loose sockets or missing bulbs
  

Even minor damage increases the risk of overheating or electrical shorts. Replace any questionable items before decorating.

3. Follow wattage and amperage guidelines

Not all circuits can handle large displays. Most indoor circuits are 15 amps and can support up to 1,800 watts, while a 20-amp circuit can handle up to 2,400 watts. To stay safe, only use 80% of a circuit’s maximum wattage.

LED lights allow more strands to be connected safely because they draw far less power. Incandescent strands, on the other hand, should be limited to just a few connected together.

4. Turn lights off when not needed

Lights should be turned off during the day and overnight to reduce electrical load and prevent overheating. Timers are an easy way to ensure lights turn off automatically, helping you conserve energy and avoid running lights longer than necessary, which is especially important during colder months when homes are already using more electricity for heating.

Outdoor Electrical Safety for Decorations

To improve electrical safety outdoors, always use a GFCI outlet. GFCI outlets help protect you from common electrical problems, such as shock and fire, that have an increased risk outside due to the weather conditions. These outlets are required by code since they drastically reduce the risk of fire and shock.

Electrical safety matters when you use extension cords. You should also use heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords since they’re safe to use outdoors and can be exposed to the elements.

Avoid using metal nails or staples, as they can damage the wires. Instead, use plastic clips designed for hanging lights without damaging the cord. 

Call A Professional

Electrical safety is crucial during the holidays. With so much going on, the last thing anyone needs is an avoidable electrical hazard. By inspecting your lights, avoiding overloaded circuits, and using outdoor-rated equipment when decorating outside, you can ensure a safe, festive season. If you experience any electrical issues or want a professional inspection in your Lexington home, give us a call at 859-365-2599. We’re here to help keep your holidays bright and safe.