Holiday lights have a way of transforming an ordinary house into something magical. Whether someone is decorating a small front porch or turning their yard into a winter wonderland, festive lighting is a big part of how families celebrate this time of year. It brings warmth, color, and a sense of joy that feels especially welcome during our darker Portland winters.
But behind the cheer is a real responsibility. Holiday lights pull extra power, get exposed to rain and wind, and sometimes end up plugged into outlets or extension cords that are already working overtime. As a company that handles heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing, we have seen firsthand how quickly holiday excitement can turn into an electrical problem if homeowners are not careful. With a few simple habits, we can keep the season bright and safe.
Tip #1: Use the Right Lights for Indoors and Outdoors
One of the most common mistakes people make is mixing up indoor and outdoor lights. Indoor lights are not made to withstand outdoor moisture, and around here, wet weather is basically guaranteed. When indoor lights end up outside, water seeps into the wiring and can cause shorts, sparks, or full electrical failures. Outdoor-rated lights, on the other hand, are built for rain, wind, and temperature swings.
It is also worth taking a moment to check the condition of your lights before hanging them. Even good-quality outdoor sets wear down over time, especially in the Pacific Northwest where they deal with months of dampness. Tiny cracks, frayed areas, or loose bulbs are all things that can lead to overheating or electrical hazards. Spending a few minutes inspecting each string can save you hours of frustration later and help lower the risk of electrical fires.
If you are upgrading your decorations this year, LED lights are a smart choice. They use far less energy than older incandescent bulbs, run cooler, and last longer. That means less heat near your home and more room on your circuits without risking overloads.
Tip #2: Avoid Overloading Outlets and Circuits
Holiday decorating often means plugging in more items than usual. Lights, inflatables, animated figures, and indoor decorations all compete for the same outlets. Overloading a circuit is one of the biggest reasons homeowners deal with tripped breakers during the holidays. And while a tripped breaker is inconvenient, it is also a warning sign that too much power is flowing through that part of your electrical system.
A smart way to prevent this is to map out where your lights will go and which outlets they will use. By spreading the load across different circuits, you reduce the strain on any single line. If you consistently run into problems every year, it may be time for an inspection or an upgrade so your home can handle modern holiday displays more safely.
Try these quick checks before plugging everything in:
- Count how many items are connected to each outlet
- Avoid chaining multiple extension cords together
- Use heavy-duty outdoor cords for anything outside
- Keep high-powered decorations on separate circuits if possible
- Plug lights directly into outlets instead of relying on adapters
Electrical safety is about paying attention to the details, especially when holiday decorations stay up for several weeks at a time.
Tip #3: Protect Cords From Damage and Moisture
Holiday cords take a lot of abuse without anyone realizing it. They get stepped on, pinched in doors, buried under rugs, or pulled tight around corners. Here in the Portland and Dallas area, moisture is also a constant factor. Water around plugs or damaged cords is a serious safety risk, because it increases the chance of electrical shorts and sparks.
The best thing you can do is route your cords carefully. Keep them off walkways whenever possible and avoid running them through areas where pets or kids might tug on them. Outdoor cords should be elevated slightly or covered with proper cord protectors so they are not sitting in puddles. Indoors, avoid placing cords under rugs, which can trap heat and wear away at the insulation.
Here is a list of common cord hazards and how to spot them:
- Cracks: Look for split or brittle rubber that can expose wiring
- Fraying: Check ends and connection points for broken strands
- Warm spots: Feel the cord while it is plugged in to make sure no area is overheating
- Pinched areas: Avoid placing cords under furniture or windows
- Loose plugs: Replace cords that do not fit snugly into outlets
- Moisture exposure: Make sure outdoor plugs have proper covers
- Excessive tension: Do not stretch cords tight around corners or hooks
A little extra care keeps your holiday lighting glowing safely and prevents unnecessary electrical problems.
Tip #4: Use Timers and Smart Plugs to Reduce Risk
Holiday lights are beautiful, but leaving them on around the clock can put extra strain on your electrical system. It also increases the chance of overheating, especially with older lights or older outlets. Timers and smart plugs are an easy solution that help control when your lights turn on and off without you having to lift a finger.
Timers not only keep things safer, but they also help save energy. Many homeowners enjoy coming home to a lit house that feels inviting, and setting lights to turn on at dusk makes that simple. Smart plugs give you even more control. With many models, you can set schedules, turn lights on remotely, and monitor energy use. This keeps your circuits from working harder than necessary and reduces the risk of overload.
Timers also help prevent situations where lights are left on overnight or while you are out of the house. The less time your electrical system spends under high demand, the safer it stays.
Tip #5: Keep Decorations Away From Heat Sources
Many electrical fires start because decorations are placed too close to heat. This can be anything from a fireplace to a heater vent to a lamp that runs hotter than you realize. Holiday decor is often made of materials that burn quickly, like plastics, wood, or fabric. A string of lights sitting against a heat source can slowly melt or dry out surrounding material and create a fire hazard.
Give your decorations plenty of breathing room. This simple habit makes a big difference in preventing overheating. Some homeowners are surprised by how warm older incandescent holiday bulbs can get, especially when multiple strands are wrapped around the same structure. Even LEDs, though cooler, should still be kept away from direct heat.
Here are a few heat risks to avoid, with an explanation for each:
- Space heaters: These produce concentrated heat, which can melt wires or ignite flammable items
- Fireplace mantels: Sparks or rising heat can scorch or damage light strings
- Heating vents: Warm air can dry out decor materials until they become brittle
- Lamps: Even small table lamps generate enough warmth to overheat nearby cords
- Candles: Open flames and electrical decorations should never be close together
Keeping your lights clear of heat sources helps ensure your holiday setup is festive without being risky.
What To Do If Your Breakers Keep Tripping
If your holiday lights repeatedly cause breakers to trip, your electrical system is trying to tell you something. It might be too many decorations on one circuit, or it could be a sign that the circuit is aging or undersized for modern electrical needs. Homes in Portland and Dallas range widely in age, and older wiring sometimes struggles with the added seasonal load.
A breaker that trips once might not be a big deal, but a breaker that keeps tripping deserves attention. Resetting it over and over is not a solution, and can actually cause damage to the electrical panel. This is the kind of situation where a licensed electrician should take a look. We can check the circuit, inspect the panel, and make sure there are no hidden problems that could lead to overheating or fire hazards.
Signs you should call for help include burning smells near outlets, flickering lights that worsen with holiday decor plugged in, or breakers that trip whenever you run multiple items at once.
How To Store Your Lights Safely After the Season
Once the holidays are over, most people pack up their lights quickly and tuck them away wherever they fit. But storing lights the wrong way can shorten their lifespan and create problems when you go to use them next year. Proper storage helps protect the wiring, bulbs, and connectors from getting tangled, bent, or damaged.
Start by taking everything down carefully. Avoid yanking lights off hooks or pulling them from outdoor areas, since that can damage the wiring inside the cord. Coil them loosely instead of wrapping them too tightly. Stiff bends can break internal wires even if the outside looks fine. Place each string in a separate bag or wrap them around a spool or piece of cardboard to keep them from tangling.
A few smart storage habits include:
- Keeping lights in a dry area away from extreme temperatures
- Labeling each set so you know where it goes next season
- Checking each strand for damage before packing it away
- Using plastic bins instead of cardboard to prevent moisture issues
- Storing outdoor lights separately from indoor ones
These small efforts make decorating next year easier and help your lights stay safe and functional.
Schedule Your Holiday Lighting Installation & Repair With Sunset Today!
If you want your decorations to look great without worrying about electrical overloads, our team at Sunset Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing is here to help. We handle everything from outlet upgrades to safe holiday lighting setups, and we make sure your system is ready for the extra seasonal load. Whether you need troubleshooting, installation, or simple guidance, we are happy to make your holidays brighter and safer.
We serve Portland, Dallas, and dozens of nearby cities, and our electricians know what local homes need to stay safe in winter weather. Give us a call at (503) 773-6695 to schedule your holiday lighting service. We will help you enjoy the season without the stress.
