How to Keep Your Home Safe From Electrical Fires During the Holidays
The holiday season brings lights, decorations, heaters, and plenty of extra electrical use. While all of this adds to the festive atmosphere, it also increases the risk of electrical fires—especially in older homes or homes with overloaded outlets. The good news is that a little awareness and a few simple habits can go a long way in keeping your family safe during the holidays.
One of the biggest causes of holiday electrical fires is overloaded circuits. Christmas lights, space heaters, kitchen appliances, and inflatables can all pull more power than a single outlet or extension cord can safely handle. Make sure to spread out your decorations across multiple circuits, and avoid plugging more than one high-wattage item—like a heater or microwave—into the same outlet. If your lights flicker or breakers trip, that’s a sign your system is overloaded or needs attention from a licensed electrician.
Holiday lighting also deserves a safety check before you hang anything. Look for frayed cords, cracked bulbs, loose connections, or strands that have damaged insulation. Outdoor lights should always be labeled for exterior use, and every extension cord running outside should be rated for outdoor conditions too. Be sure to unplug your lights before going to bed or leaving the house, and consider using smart plugs or timers to automate shutoff times.
Finally, be cautious with space heaters and heat-generating decor. Keep heaters at least three feet away from curtains, furniture, wrapping paper, and your Christmas tree. Never leave them running unattended. If your outlets feel warm to the touch, emit a burning smell, or show signs of discoloration, shut off power to that area and contact an electrician right away. A safe home starts with a safe electrical system, and the holidays are the perfect time to make sure yours is ready.
If you ever have concerns about your wiring, outlets, or holiday load capacity, Sage Electric is always here to help Tooele County homeowners stay safe, warm, and worry-free all season long.
