As Colorado Springs residents retrieve holiday decorations from storage, Dr. Electric is urging homeowners to inspect every strand of lights and plan how decorations will be powered before mounting them on rooflines or trees. The electrical contractor, which serves Colorado Springs, Monument, and surrounding communities, emphasizes that the weeks leading up to the holidays are when many homes add extra temporary electrical load, increasing the risk of electrical fires and overloaded circuits.
According to The U.S. Fire Administration, nearly one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems, based on National Fire Protection Association data. The agency advises inspecting holiday lights each year before putting them up and discarding strands with frayed or pinched wires. It also recommends following the manufacturer's instructions for the number of light strands that can be safely connected together.
Rick Rost, owner of Dr. Electric, said the most common issues he sees are not with the lights themselves but with how they are plugged in. "Strands get chained together past what the box says, cords run under rugs, and everything ends up on one outdoor outlet," Rost said. "A few minutes of checking before you decorate goes a long way."
Rost noted that outdoor decorations should be plugged into GFCI-protected outlets, which electrical code already requires for outdoor receptacles. For homeowners considering permanent exterior or landscape fixtures, planning a professional lighting installation colorado springs co project ensures dedicated, properly protected circuits that can handle the load safely.
If breakers trip repeatedly when decorations are turned on, the company recommends having the home's electrical capacity checked. Older homes may need an electrical panel upgrade colorado springs to handle today's seasonal and everyday loads. This is especially important as more households add electric vehicles, which require significant charging capacity. The same planning applies to EV owners, and the company handles ev charger installation colorado springs co, including a check of whether the existing panel can support the new circuit.
"If a cord feels warm, a breaker keeps tripping, or lights flicker when something else turns on, those are signs to stop and have it looked at," Rost said. "It's a lot easier to sort out in November than on Christmas Eve."
The implications for homeowners extend beyond holiday safety. Overloaded circuits and outdated panels can pose year-round risks, and addressing them proactively can prevent costly emergency repairs and improve overall electrical reliability. As energy demands grow with seasonal lighting and EV adoption, ensuring a home's electrical system is up to date becomes increasingly critical. Dr. Electric offers complimentary estimates for those seeking professional guidance on their electrical needs.
