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. 🎄✨

Space Heater Electrical Safety — Stay Cozy Without Risk

When temperatures drop, space heaters become a quick fix for cold bedrooms, offices, and garages. But while they’re great for adding extra warmth, they also draw a high amount of electrical current, and improper use can easily overload circuits or start a fire.

Many homeowners don’t realize that most power strips and extension cords aren’t built to handle the constant demand of a space heater. It only takes minutes for an overloaded cord to overheat — and by the time you notice the smell of melting plastic, damage has already begun.

Space heaters should be plugged only into wall outlets — never into extension cords, surge protectors, or power strips. Those cords and devices can overheat under heavy loads, creating a hidden fire risk behind your furniture.If you don’t have an outlet where you need one, we can install one safely and correctly so you can stay warm and worry-free all winter.

🔥 The Right Way to Use a Space Heater

To keep your home and family safe, always follow these simple but critical safety steps:

• Plug directly into a wall outlet. Avoid cords, adapters, and multi-plug connectors.

• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around the heater — away from curtains, bedding, or furniture.

• Set it on a level, nonflammable surface like tile or hardwood, never on carpet or countertops.

• Inspect the cord and plug before each use. Replace any heater with frayed or discolored wiring.

• Turn off and unplug the heater when leaving the room or going to sleep.

• Check the label. Look for UL or ETL safety certification to ensure it meets fire safety standards.

Even small space heaters can pull 1,500 watts or more, roughly the same as a hair dryer running nonstop. If you’re using multiple devices on the same circuit — lights, chargers, TVs — that extra load can push your system past its limits.

⚙️ When to Call a Licensed Electrician

If your space heater causes lights to flicker, outlets to feel warm, or breakers to trip, those are warning signs your circuit is overloaded. Don’t ignore them — your wiring could be under stress every time you plug that heater in!

At Bowman Electric, we can:

✅ Add dedicated outlets or circuits designed for space heaters or other high-demand devices.

✅ Inspect your electrical panel to ensure it’s distributing power safely.

✅ Upgrade old or damaged wiring so your home can handle today’s modern power needs.

These small upgrades not only keep your home safer — they also prevent nuisance trips and extend the life of your electrical system.

Light the Way Before the Dark Evenings Arrive

As the evenings get darker earlier, it’s easy to notice dim spots in your home or yard that felt fine just a few weeks ago. Check your exterior lighting, porch fixtures, and motion sensors to make sure they’re all functioning properly. If your walkways or driveways are poorly lit, consider adding LED path lights or motion-sensor fixtures to increase both safety and visibility.

Inside, it might be time to switch out older bulbs for brighter, energy-efficient LEDs. They last longer, cost less to run, and create a cleaner, more inviting light for those long winter evenings.

🕒 ⏰ Recheck Timers, Smart Switches & Outlets

The time change also means your lighting schedules may now be off by an hour. If you use outdoor timers, holiday lighting, or smart switches, take a few minutes to adjust their settings so lights come on right when you need them.

While you’re at it, test your outdoor GFCI outlets — if they trip frequently or don’t reset, it could signal water intrusion or wear from previous seasons. Replacing them now prevents bigger issues later when snow or freezing rain arrives.

🔋 ⚡ Seasonal Safety Starts Indoors Too

Daylight Savings is also a great annual reminder to:

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (replace batteries if needed)

• Check outlets for warmth or buzzing sounds

• Avoid overloading extension cords or daisy-chaining power strips

• Unplug devices you don’t use often to save energy

Even small maintenance steps can make a big difference in preventing electrical fires and improving energy efficiency through the winter months.

🏠 Bowman Electric: Here to Keep Your Home Safe & Bright

At Bowman Electric, we believe seasonal changes are the perfect time to pause, reset, and make sure your home’s electrical system is ready for what’s ahead. From outdoor lighting upgrades and GFCI replacements to interior fixture updates and full system inspections — we’re here to help you fall back safely and light up your home for the darker months ahead. ⚡