Holiday Lighting Safety: What Homeowners Should Check Before the Decorating Rush

The weekend after Thanksgiving is the unofficial kickoff to holiday decorating. Before boxes of lights come down from the attic and inflatable snowmen go up in the yard, there’s one thing many homeowners overlook: electrical safety.

Outdoor holiday lighting can add unexpected stress to older outlets, worn extension cords, and circuits that aren’t designed to handle cold-weather conditions. Spending just a few minutes checking your setup now can prevent blown breakers, damaged light strings, and potential fire hazards once everything is plugged in.

Below is your homeowner-friendly breakdown of what to inspect before the decorating begins.

🔌 1. Inspect Your Outdoor Outlets

Outdoor outlets take a beating from weather, temperature swings, and moisture.

• Make sure your exterior outlets are GFCI-protected

• Test the Reset/Test buttons — they should click firmly

• If they won’t reset or feel loose → that’s a red flag

• Outlets exposed to snow or rain must be in weatherproof in-use covers

💡 Why it matters: GFCI protection prevents shock hazards in wet winter conditions.

🎯 2. Avoid Overloading Your Circuits

Holiday lights may look light and delicate, but they draw more power than people assume.

• Older incandescent strands pull heavy wattage

• Plugging too many strands into one outlet can overload a circuit

• LED lights use up to 85% less energy and stay cooler

💡 Pro Tip: If your outlet feels warm, breakers trip, or lights dim → the circuit is overworked.

🧊 3. Check All Light Strings for Wear & Tear

Every year, we see the same issues:

• Cracked insulation

• Exposed wires

• Loose bulbs

• Damaged or bent prongs

• Rodent-chewed cords

• Brittle wires from cold storage

If anything looks questionable — toss it. Holiday lights are cheap; your home is not.

🌧️ 4. Only Use Outdoor-Rated Lights & Extension Cords

Indoor cords and lights are not made to withstand snow, moisture, and Montana cold.

• Look for UL-listed outdoor-rated products

• Use heavy-duty extension cords

• Keep all plugs off the ground or snow

• Avoid running cords through doors or windows

💡 Tip: A weatherproof cord reel or stake box keeps everything tidy and protected.

⚡ 5. Consider Upgrading Outlets or Adding a Dedicated Circuit

If you decorate heavily (or plan to!), upgrades can save headaches and hazards:

• Install a dedicated outdoor circuit

• Add more GFCI outlets

• Upgrade aging outdoor wiring

• Convert old incandescent lights to LEDs

These upgrades protect your home and reduce the risk of blown fuses or flickering displays.

🛠️ 6. Have Your Outlets Checked Before Thanksgiving Weekend

The best time for a quick outlet inspection or small upgrade is before your lights are hung — not during a snowstorm or when the kids are halfway through decorating the tree.

A simple 15–20 minute check can make sure everything is ready for the season.

⚡ Need a Quick Check Before You Decorate?

If your outdoor outlets feel loose, your GFCIs won’t reset, or you’re not sure your wiring can handle this year’s holiday setup, we can take a look before the Christmas lights go up. A simple inspection or small upgrade now can save you from blown breakers, flickering displays, or unsafe conditions once everything’s plugged in. Send us a message anytime — we’ll make sure your home is ready for a bright, safe, trouble-free holiday season. 🎄✨