The holiday season brings family gatherings, sparkling decorations, and warm traditions. It also brings one of the busiest times of year for your home's electrical system. From holiday lights and inflatable yard displays to space heaters, slow cookers, and nonstop kitchen appliances, Amarillo homes experience a major increase in electrical demand during the holidays.

Unfortunately, that increased demand can also raise the risk of electrical overloads, tripped breakers, damaged devices, and even house fires. December and January are among the peak months for electrical fires in the United States, and many of these incidents can be prevented with simple safety steps and proper electrical maintenance.

To help you enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday season, the experts at Mister Sparky® in Amarillo have created a complete holiday electrical safety checklist. These tips will help protect your home and loved ones while reducing the risk of overloads and fire hazards.

Inspect Your Electrical Panel

Your electrical panel controls the flow of electricity throughout your home. If it is outdated or already strained, adding holiday lighting and appliances can easily push it beyond its limits.

Before decorating or plugging in additional devices, check for the following warning signs:

Frequently tripped breakers
Buzzing or humming noises coming from the panel
Breakers that feel warm when touched
Rust or discoloration inside the panel
A burning or metallic smell

If you notice any of these signs, do not ignore them. They may indicate worn wiring, overloaded circuits, or a failing breaker panel. Contact Mister Sparky® in Amarillo to schedule a professional inspection.

Use the Right Extension Cords and Power Strips

Extension cords and power strips can be helpful during the holiday season, but they are also a common source of electrical problems when used incorrectly.

Use indoor-rated cords indoors and outdoor-rated cords outdoors.
Never run extension cords under rugs, carpets, or furniture.
Avoid connecting multiple extension cords together.
Replace cords that are frayed, cracked, or have exposed wiring.
Use surge protectors with electronics such as televisions, computers, and sound systems.

Extension cords are designed for temporary use. If you rely on them heavily, you may need additional outlets installed.

Inspect All Holiday Lights and Decorations

Old or damaged holiday lights are a major cause of electrical fires. Before decorating, examine every strand and decoration carefully.

Check for cracked or brittle insulation.
Look for broken, missing, or loose bulbs.
Inspect for frayed or thinning wires.
Watch for melted plastic or heat discoloration.
Ensure plugs and sockets fit securely.

If anything looks damaged, replace the strand. Switching to LED lighting is an easy way to improve safety and efficiency.

Switch to LED Holiday Lighting

LED lights are the safest and most energy-efficient option for holiday decorating. They use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs and generate much less heat.

Benefits of LED holiday lights include:

Lower fire risk
Longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs
Brighter, more vibrant colors
Lower energy usage
The ability to safely connect more light strands

For Amarillo homeowners who love large indoor or outdoor displays, LED lighting is an excellent way to upgrade your holiday decor while keeping energy costs under control.

Avoid Outlet Overloads

Plugging too many lights, appliances, or decorations into a single circuit can cause an overload and increase the risk of a fire.

To prevent overloads:

Spread decorations across multiple outlets and circuits.
Avoid plugging more than one high-wattage appliance into the same area.
Use power strips that include overload protection features.
Keep outlets in kitchens and bathrooms free for essential appliances.

If you run out of outlets every holiday season, consider having an electrician add additional circuits or outlets to your home.

Protect Outdoor Decorations From Moisture

Outdoor lights, inflatables, and decor are exposed to moisture, frost, and temperature changes. Moisture is a leading cause of shorts and electrical malfunctions.

Always follow these outdoor safety tips:

Use only weatherproof outdoor-rated extension cords and lighting.
Keep plug connections elevated and away from standing water.
Use outdoor-rated covers to protect plugs from moisture.
Plug outdoor decorations into GFCI outlets.
Do not overload the same outdoor circuit with heaters and lighting simultaneously.

If you do not have GFCI outlets outside, it is a good idea to have them installed before putting up holiday decor.

Keep Your Christmas Tree Safe

Christmas trees are beautiful but can be a fire hazard when not handled properly. Whether you use a real or artificial tree, electrical safety is essential.

Follow these tree safety guidelines:

Use cool-operating LED lights.
Keep fresh trees well-watered to prevent them from drying out.
Place trees away from fireplaces, heaters, and heat vents.
Secure the tree to prevent tipping.
Unplug all lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

Dried-out trees ignite quickly, so never allow a real tree to go without water for long periods.

Use Space Heaters Safely

Many Amarillo homeowners use space heaters during colder winter evenings. They are convenient, but they are also one of the top causes of winter home fires.

Keep heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable.
Plug them directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip.
Turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
Use units with automatic shutoff features.

If several rooms feel cold, this may indicate a larger electrical or HVAC issue that needs attention.

Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Cooking, decorating, and hosting guests increases activity in the home. This makes it an ideal time to confirm that all safety devices are working properly.

Before the holidays:

Test every smoke alarm.
Replace batteries if needed.
Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor.
Replace devices that are older than ten years.

Working alarms are one of the most important protections you can have during the holiday season.

Schedule a Professional Electrical Safety Inspection

A professional electrical inspection can identify hazards that are not easy to spot on your own. If you notice flickering lights, discolored outlets, or frequent breaker trips, it is a good idea to schedule an inspection before decorating.

Mister Sparky® in Amarillo provides comprehensive electrical inspections that include:

Breaker panel evaluation
Outlet and switch testing
Wiring condition assessment
GFCI and AFCI protection checks
Surge protection review
Smoke and CO detector evaluation

This ensures your home is prepared to handle increased electrical usage safely and efficiently.

Keep Your Holiday Season Safe and Bright

The holiday season should be filled with celebration, not electrical stress. With preparation and proper safety practices, you can decorate confidently and enjoy your holiday traditions without fear of overloads or hazards.

Mister Sparky® in Amarillo is here to help with electrical inspections, outlet installations, lighting upgrades, panel services, GFCI installations, and emergency repairs. Contact our team today to schedule service and make sure your home is ready for a safe and festive holiday season.