Holiday Electrical Safety: Don't Be Like Bob…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re Bob. And trust us, you don’t want to be Bob this holiday season.
This is Bob.
Bob loves Christmas. Bob *really* loves Christmas lights. Bob believes that if 5,000 lights are impressive, 50,000 lights are basically the North Star reincarnated on his cul-de-sac. So last December, Bob did what any reasonable person would do: he plugged his 18-foot inflatable Santa into the same power strip as the synchronized light-up reindeer, the glowing nativity scene, the musical mailbox, the laser projector that makes it snow on his garage, and—because why not—the heated toilet seat he got on sale in July.
One power strip. One very tired outlet from 1972. One extension cord running through a puddle of melted snow because Bob also plugged in the bubbling cauldron that shoots fog for his “spooky Christmas” vibe. You see where this is going, right? Electrical fire prevention isn’t just a buzzword—it’s what keeps your holidays merry instead of... well, smoky.
At approximately 9:17 p.m. on December 23rd, Bob’s living room achieved liftoff. The tree lit up like the surface of the sun, the smoke detectors started singing backup (think a very off-key “Jingle Bells”), and the inflatable Santa deflated in shame as the fire department rolled in with sirens blaring louder than Bob’s regrets.
Bob is fine. His ego is not. His house now has what real-estate agents call “an open-concept fireplace.” And according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this isn’t just Bob’s bad luck—30% of all home fires and 38% of home fire deaths happen in December, January, or February, often sparked by overloaded circuits and holiday overloads. (Pro tip: Christmas lights safety alone prevents ~770 fires yearly. Don’t let your display become a statistic.)
Moral of the story: Don’t be like Bob. Your holiday spirit is awesome, but your 50-year-old wiring? Not so much. We inspect homes every year that look like the Las Vegas Strip crashed into a Home Depot clearance aisle. Let’s keep the cheer without the char.
Here’s your 2025 holiday survival guide—straight from the pros who’ve seen (and prevented) one too many festive fiascos. Follow these Christmas lights safety and electrical fire prevention basics to deck the halls without summoning the fire department:
-Count the amps, not just the twinkles.** Most household circuits max out at 15 or 20 amps. LED strands sip power like a polite guest, but that vintage ceramic Christmas tree with the giant bulbs? It’s chugging eggnog. Check labels and spread the load—aim for no more than three strands per outlet unless specified.
-One extension cord per outlet. Full stop.** No daisy-chaining five like you’re jump-starting a Boeing 747. Overloaded outlets cause ~3,300 residential fires annually, per NFPA data. Use heavy-duty, grounded cords rated for holiday use, and inspect for frays (Bob skipped this step).
-Outdoor stuff stays outside.** Indoor-rated cords + snow = a shortcut to sadness (and shorts). Always opt for weatherproof gear, and keep connections elevated off wet ground—tape unused plugs to bricks if needed.
-GFCI outlets near water? Non-negotiable.** Got a 6-foot animated Grinch taking a bubble bath on your lawn? Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters detect shocks and shut off power faster than you can say “fa-la-la-la-oops.”
-If your breaker trips mid-groove, listen to it.** That’s not “part of the show”—it’s your home’s way of yelling, “Bob, no!” Signs of electrical overload (flickering lights, warm outlets) mean call in the cavalry before the reindeer revolt.
Bonus: Unplug everything before bed or heading out. It’s a 30-second habit that could save your gingerbread trim from becoming actual toast.
Schedule a quick electrical safety check before you channel your inner Clark Griswold. It takes us about an hour, costs less than replacing your siding after Bob-level festivities, and gives you peace of mind. Because nobody wants their holiday card to read: “Season’s Greetings!! (Now accepting donations for new drywall and a slightly less ambitious approach to outdoor décor.)
Stay bright. Stay safe. And whatever you do… don’t be like Bob.
Happy Holidays from your friends at Details Home Inspections “We stop the sparks before your movie night turns into a real blockbuster.”
Book your pre-holiday electrical check today! DetailsHomeInspections.com
