As Colorado Springs homeowners begin pulling holiday decorations out of storage, Dr. Electric is encouraging residents to inspect every strand of lights and plan how decorations will be plugged in before anything goes on the roofline or the tree. The warning comes as homes across the region prepare to add temporary electrical load for the holidays, a period when electrical failures become more common.
According to The U.S. Fire Administration, almost one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems, citing National Fire Protection Association data. The agency advises inspecting holiday lights each year before putting them up and throwing away strands with frayed or pinched wires. It also recommends reading the manufacturer's instructions for the number of light strands that can be safely connected together.
"Most of what we see this time of year isn't the lights themselves, it's how they're plugged in," said Rick Rost, owner of Dr. Electric. "Strands get chained together past what the box says, cords run under rugs, and everything ends up on one outdoor outlet. 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. Homeowners who want permanent exterior or landscape fixtures can plan lighting installation colorado springs co projects with dedicated, properly protected circuits. Such upgrades not only improve safety but also add convenience and value to the home.
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. Without sufficient capacity, even normal holiday lighting can push a system to its limits, increasing the risk of fire or failure.
The same planning applies to households adding an electric vehicle this winter. The company handles ev charger installation colorado springs co, including a check of whether the existing panel can support the new circuit. As more residents adopt electric vehicles, ensuring the home's electrical infrastructure can manage the additional demand becomes critical, especially when combined with seasonal lighting.
"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."
Dr. Electric offers complimentary estimates and can be reached at (719) 232-3047. The company is an electrical contractor based at 2275 Waynoka Road in Colorado Springs, Colorado, providing residential electrical service, panel upgrades, lighting installation, EV charger installation and 24/7 emergency service for Colorado Springs, Monument and surrounding communities.
