The holiday season brings plenty of opportunities to brighten your home or business. From indoor Christmas trees and decorative displays to outdoor lights lining roofs, walkways, and landscaping, holiday lighting can make a property feel festive and welcoming. But while you’re focused on creating a beautiful display, it’s important not to overlook electrical safety.
Holiday decorations often involve extension cords, power strips, outdoor connections, ladders, and multiple strings of lights operating at the same time. When these items aren’t installed or used properly, they can create electrical hazards. Taking a few precautions before you plug in your decorations can help you enjoy the season while keeping your home, employees, customers, and guests safer. Here are some electrical safety tips from Phase Electric to get you started.
Inspect Lights Before Using Them
If you’re pulling holiday lights out of storage, don’t immediately plug them in. Take a few minutes to inspect each strand first.
Look for frayed or damaged cords, cracked sockets, loose connections, exposed wires, or other signs of wear. A light string that was perfectly functional last year may not be in the same condition after spending months in storage.
Damaged electrical decorations should not be used. Replacing a questionable strand is a much better option than taking a chance with a damaged electrical connection.
Be Careful With Extension Cords
Extension cords can be convenient when you’re decorating areas that aren’t close to an electrical outlet, but they need to be used appropriately.
Choose cords that are rated for the intended application, particularly when you’re powering outdoor decorations. Outdoor equipment should use cords designed for outdoor use. Keep connections away from standing water and areas where they could become wet.
It’s also important to avoid creating a maze of extension cords throughout your property. Cords running across walkways can create tripping hazards, while improperly positioned cords can become damaged by foot traffic or other activity.
Don’t Overload Electrical Circuits
Holiday decorating can add a surprising amount of electrical equipment to a home or business. Lights may be joined by inflatables, heated decorations, displays, appliances, and other seasonal equipment.
Before plugging everything in, consider how much electrical demand you’re putting on a circuit. Connecting too many devices to one circuit can cause breakers to trip and may indicate that the circuit is being asked to handle more than it should.
If you’re repeatedly resetting a breaker because of your holiday decorations, don’t simply keep turning it back on. The repeated trips may be a sign that the electrical system needs attention.
Use Outdoor Lighting Appropriately
Outdoor holiday lighting needs to be suitable for outdoor conditions. Decorations and lighting equipment intended for indoor use shouldn’t be placed outside where they’re exposed to moisture and changing weather conditions.
Pay attention to where outdoor electrical connections are located. Keep plugs and connections protected from moisture, and make sure lighting is installed in a way that prevents cords from becoming damaged.
If you’re installing lights in high or difficult-to-reach areas, don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Electrical safety and ladder safety should go hand in hand when you’re decorating.
Don’t Ignore Older Electrical Systems
Older homes and commercial properties may have electrical systems that weren’t designed to accommodate today’s combination of lighting, electronics, appliances, and seasonal decorations.
If your property experiences flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, warm outlets, burning odors, or other unusual electrical behavior, holiday decorating may not be the time to ignore those warning signs. Have the problem evaluated by a qualified electrician instead.
A holiday lighting project can also be a good opportunity to address electrical improvements you’ve been putting off. Adding outlets, upgrading electrical components, or improving the capacity of your system can make seasonal decorating more convenient while supporting your everyday electrical needs.
Keep Safety in Mind at Your Business
Holiday lighting isn’t limited to homes. Businesses throughout the Los Angeles area often use seasonal displays to create a welcoming environment for customers and employees.
Commercial properties may require significantly more lighting and electrical equipment than a typical home. Decorations should be installed with consideration for employees, customers, walkways, entrances, and other areas where people regularly travel.
If your business needs additional electrical work to safely accommodate seasonal lighting, working with a professional electrician can help you identify the appropriate solution.
Make Electrical Safety Part of Your Holiday Plans
Holiday lighting should add enjoyment to the season, not create unnecessary electrical concerns. Inspect your lights before installation, use appropriate extension cords, avoid overloading circuits, keep outdoor connections protected, and pay attention to warning signs from your electrical system.
If you’re planning a major holiday display or have concerns about your home’s or business’s electrical system, contact Phase Electric today for a consultation. We provide residential and commercial electrician services in the Los Angeles area and can help with your electrical needs throughout the holiday season and beyond.
