As Colorado Springs residents unpack holiday decorations, Dr. Electric is urging homeowners to inspect every strand of lights and plan how decorations will be powered before hanging them on rooflines or trees. The warning comes as homes add temporary electrical load during the weeks before the holidays, increasing the risk of fires and circuit overloads.
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 and discarding strands with frayed or pinched wires. It also recommends following manufacturer 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, one of the Colorado Springs Electricians serving Monument and surrounding communities. "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 can also reduce the temptation to overload existing outlets with temporary holiday lighting.
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. An undersized panel can struggle to power modern appliances, heating systems, and holiday displays simultaneously, leading to frequent tripping or, worse, overheating.
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. Adding a high-power EV charger without evaluating the home's electrical service can create a dangerous overload, especially when combined with holiday 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, based at 2275 Waynoka Road in Colorado Springs, provides residential electrical service, panel upgrades, lighting installation, EV charger installation, and 24/7 emergency service. The company offers complimentary estimates and can be reached at (719) 232-3047. Homeowners are encouraged to address potential electrical issues before the peak holiday season to avoid emergencies.
