Holiday Lighting Safety Tips for Central Coast Homes

Daniel Ehinger
Nov 11
2 min read

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips for Central Coast Homes

Colorful string lights against a dark blue background, creating a festive and cheerful atmosphere.

(From the electricians who keep the lights bright and the circuits cool — Elect Electric)

The holidays are lighting up San Luis Obispo County! Rooflines sparkle, trees glow, and whole neighborhoods compete for the brightest display. But with all that extra wattage comes extra risk. Overloaded circuits, frayed cords, and wet outlets can turn festive fun into a serious fire or shock hazard.

Here’s how to keep your home shining safely this season — and how Elect Electric can help you stay powered up without overloading your system.

1. Inspect Before You Connect

Before plugging in a single strand, check for cracked sockets, frayed insulation, or missing bulbs. Even one damaged wire can short out and start a fire.

💡 Pro Tip: Upgrade to LED holiday lights — they use up to 80% less power and stay cool to the touch.

2. Don’t Overload Circuits

If your lights flicker or breakers trip, that’s your home saying, “enough!” Avoid daisy-chaining cords or running too many lights on one circuit.

✅ Use GFCI-protected outlets outdoors.

✅ Plug heavy loads into dedicated circuits where possible.

✅ Add a smart plug or timer to control usage automatically.

If you’re unsure whether your home can handle your display, schedule an electrical safety check before you plug everything in — we can usually fit in a few appointments before the season peaks.

3. Keep It Dry

Family in yellow raincoats splashes through muddy path; child on pink bike and adult with green umbrella. Wet, wooded setting, joyful mood.

Outdoor lights and rain don’t mix. Always use weather-rated cords and fixtures, keep connections off the ground, and use in-use (bubble) covers for exterior outlets. A little extra care keeps moisture out and your power flowing safely.

4. Watch the Ladder, Not the Lights

Ladder injuries are one of the most common holiday accidents.

Have a spotter steady the base.
Keep three points of contact.
Use a fiberglass ladder, not metal, near power lines or eaves.

Need permanent soffit outlets or year-round accent lighting? We can install them safely now — before next year’s decorating rush.

5. Unplug (or Set a Timer)

Leaving lights on all night drives up energy use and increases wear. Plug lights into a smart outlet or SPAN Smart Panelto schedule automatic shut-offs and manage power from your phone.