Electrical Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season is almost here, bringing twinkling lights, festive displays, and a warm, cozy atmosphere we look forward to all year. However, among all the cheer and increased electrical use, safety hazards are more common than ever. In this guide, we provide essential electrical safety tips to help you keep your home and family safe this holiday season. 

6 Holiday Season Electrical Safety Tips

While temperatures drop and holidays approach, it’s common for electrical usage to skyrocket as we decorate our homes and crank up the heaters. Below, we list some electrical safety tips to help prevent hazards and provide peace of mind. 

1. Inspect All Holiday Decorations

Many holiday decorations use electrical components to light up or make sound. Before use, make sure to check all electrical decorations—both old and new—for damage like frayed wires or broken bulbs, which could lead to electrical shocks or fires. 

Even decorations that were perfectly safe last year might have faced damage (such as rodent-chewed wires) while in storage, so it’s a good idea to inspect them just to be safe. 

2. Use Extension Cords and Power Strips Safely

During the holidays, it may be tempting to “daisy chain” multiple extension cords to manage cords aesthetically or get your decor placement just right. This involves using a “chain” of multiple power strips or extension cords plugged into one wall outlet. 

However, this is a safety hazard that can overload your circuit, potentially leading to shock or electrical fires¹. Although extension cords are useful tools for decor setups and holiday gatherings, avoid daisy chaining whenever possible. 

You may also want to consider using extension cords and power strips that are certified by UL (Underwriter Laboratories). This is a globally recognized third-party certification company that tests the safety of different electrical products. 

3. Avoid Overloading Circuits

Overloaded electrical circuits are a leading cause of electrical shock and home fires³. To reduce this risk, avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet, and ensure that any power strips you use have built-in circuit breakers. You should also avoid connecting more than three strands of holiday lights to prevent overloads. 

If you find yourself relying too much on extension cords or power strips, this may be a sign that you need more outlets in your home. A qualified residential electrician can add new outlets to help you prepare for the holiday season’s increased electrical load. 

4. Use Space Heaters Responsibly

As winter approaches and temperatures drop, many of us pull out space heaters to keep our homes warm. Although these are helpful tools, they also use a lot of energy and can even be potential safety hazards without the right precautions. 

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation², the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires is heating equipment—which is why it’s so important to use space heaters responsibly. 

Here are some space heater safety tips to keep in mind this season: 

• Ensure at least 3 feet of clearance between heaters and flammable materials like curtains, bedding, and furniture 
• Never leave a space heater unattended; turn it off when you leave the room 
• Avoid using extension cords or power strips and plug the heater directly into a wall outlet 
• Select space heaters with automatic shut-off features in case they overheat or tip over 

By following these tips, you can keep your home both warm and safe over the holidays. 

5. Use Certified Electrical Decor and Equipment

Whether it’s an extension cord or a string of lights, all electrical products you use this holiday season should be certified by recognized safety testing laboratories like UL. This guarantees that they meet safety standards and are safe for residential use, without presenting a significant risk of electrical shock or fire. 

6. Ensure Lights and Decorations Are Approved for Outdoor Use

Outdoor lights and decorations are great for celebrating the season, but they can quickly become a hazard if you’re using them in the wrong places. It’s important to ensure all decorations or electrical products you use outside are specifically rated for outdoor use, including extension cords. 

A product rated for outdoor use is designed to withstand weather conditions that may degrade indoor products, leading to damaged power cords that increase the risk of electrical shock, burns, or fires⁴. Keeping your indoor-rated decorations inside can help reduce this risk. 

Safeguard Your Home for the Holidays with Residential Electrician Services 

There’s no need to let the fear of a faulty wire or overloaded circuit dim your holiday glow! With the right safety measures, you can keep your home merry and bright—and most importantly, safe—for you and your loved ones. 

For years, Schafer Electric has been providing North Bay residents with top-notch electrician services, and safety is always at the forefront. If you need outlet installation, safety inspections, or any other residential electrician services this holiday season, contact us online today or call (707) 545-3300 to learn more about how we can help.

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