What to Watch Out for When Lighting Your Home for the Holidays

Nothing helps you feel more festive than beautifying your home with holiday lighting! However, this is a busy time of year, and it’s easy to overlook the potential electrical issues that come with setting up such elaborate displays. Here are some tips from a Ross Park electrician to help keep you and your electrical system safe during the holidays.

Don’t Overload Your Electrical Circuits

You’ve decided that this is the year you’ll go “all out” with landscape lighting. But have you considered how (or if) your system can handle it? Connecting too many lights can draw too much power out of a standard outlet. This usually leads to tripped breakers or even overheated wires that pose a fire risk.

If you’re planning to do something brighter and bolder than you have in previous years, now’s a good time to contact a Ross Park electrician. They can determine whether your current panel can keep up with the demand. If it can’t, they can offer solutions to ensure you still get the holiday light display you’ve always wanted.

Don’t Use Damaged Lighting Equipment

Before you deck the halls with a single strand, inspect every last light to make sure it’s in good condition. Look for frayed wires or loose bulb sockets. The easiest way to do this is to lay each strand out and inspect it. Toss anything that looks damaged and buy a new strand. 

Using damaged lighting is one of the most common causes of holiday house fires. While you wouldn’t immediately suspect that there’s something wrong with your lighting, many holiday decorations are years or even decades old; there’s a good chance that if you haven’t purchased new lighting recently, there’s something wrong with it.

You should also ensure you’re using the right kind of lights for the job. For example, you shouldn’t use indoor lights outdoors. They won’t be able to handle the elements, and you’ll be stuck buying new ones next year.

Contact a Trusted Ross Park Electrician Before the Holidays

Worried about your electrical wiring this winter? Let the team at Hogue Electric Services provide the perfect present: peace of mind. Reach out today to schedule an appointment with one of our electricians before the holidays are in full swing.