Lights are a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer. But that colorful display is putting a lot of extra load onto your residential electrical services. Stringing holiday lighting without considering its risks can trigger an electrical outage or worse. Follow these tips to enjoy a safe and well-decorated holiday season. 

What Problems Are Likely to Occur?

Tripped circuits and blown fuses are the most common issues caused by holiday lights. Residential electrical services end up doing double duty as households increase their energy demands.

If too many lights are strung together, or indoor lights are exposed to the elements, the entire system might shut down to prevent damage. 

What Are the Warning Signs of Trouble?

Flickering or dimming lights are an indicator of electrical surges. These short-lived spikes damage connected devices and can even cause fires. They can be caused by overloaded circuits drawing large quantities of power.

Blown fuses are both a problem and a warning sign. Figure out why the fuse blew before replacing it to reduce risk of further damage. The same is true of tripped circuits.

Don’t just flip the circuit back on, check for the cause of the shutoff first. If everything seems in order, but the circuit is still tripping, ask a licensed electrician to inspect the system. There might be a hidden fault in the wiring.

How Can Issues Be Prevented?

If your circuits are tripping, redistribute the lights to outlets throughout the house. This will spread the power demands out more evenly. Always use outdoor lights and extension cords for any decorations that will be exposed to the elements.

Indoor lights don’t have the same waterproofing and freeze resistance. Never string more than three strands of lights together. This keeps the power draw on single outlets within safe levels. 

If you need extra electrical help during the holidays, contact E-Con Electric, Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. They’ve been providing industrial, commercial, and residential electrical services throughout the state since 1970. Offering a 24-hour emergency service hotline, they hold to their motto of “Every Project Done Safe, Done Right, On Time, Every Time” to deliver peace of mind to their customers. Call them today at (715) 423-8440 with any concerns, or visit them online to learn more about their services.