How to Prepare Your Home’s Electrical System for the Holidays

The holidays are right around the corner — and while the season brings joy, it also brings a major surge in electrical use. Between Christmas lights, space heaters, and all the cooking appliances running at once, your home’s electrical system works overtime.

To keep your home merry and safe this season, here’s how to prepare your electrical system for the holidays.

1. Don’t Overload Your Outlets

Plugging too many decorations or appliances into one outlet can lead to overheating and even electrical fires. Use power strips with surge protection, and make sure your cords aren’t daisy-chained together.

💡 Pro tip: If your breakers are tripping frequently, that’s your system telling you it’s overloaded — time for a safety evaluation.

2. Inspect Holiday Lights Before Hanging

Old or damaged holiday lights are a common cause of electrical fires. Check your lights for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or missing bulbs before plugging them in.

  • Only use UL-rated lights for indoor or outdoor use as labeled.

  • Avoid running cords under rugs or across walkways.

  • Turn off all lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

3. Give Your Kitchen Circuits a Break

Between ovens, slow cookers, mixers, and coffee makers, your kitchen circuits get a serious workout around Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you notice flickering lights or tripped breakers while cooking, it’s a sign your electrical panel may need an upgrade.

A quick electrical safety check from a licensed electrician can ensure your kitchen can handle the load.

4. Use Space Heaters Safely

Space heaters are convenient, but they’re also one of the top causes of winter home fires. Always:

  • Plug directly into a wall outlet (never an extension cord).

  • Keep at least 3 feet of space around the heater.

  • Turn it off before going to bed or leaving the room.

If your outlets get warm when the heater’s plugged in, call an electrician — it’s a warning sign of wiring stress.

5. Schedule a Pre-Holiday Electrical Safety Evaluation

The best way to avoid mid-holiday electrical headaches is to have your system checked before things get busy. At East Side Electric, our home electrical safety evaluations identify potential hazards, overloaded circuits, and outdated equipment before they become real problems.

Whether you’re hanging lights, cooking for the family, or running multiple heaters, we’ll make sure your home is safe, efficient, and ready for the holidays.

📞 Call or text East Side Electric at 816-588-9701
📧 Email: Leads@ESElectricKC.com
🌐 Visit: www.ESElectricKC.com

Celebrate safely this season — your family (and your breaker box) will thank you!