How to Avoid Tripping the Circuit Breaker This Holiday

It’s easy to blow a fuse on a normal day. But during the holidays, when you have double the amount of lights plugged in, it can be even easier. If you find that you keep blowing a fuse with your holiday decorations, you might want to call an electrical handyman to help identify the problem. But before you do, here are a few helpful tips to try first.

4 Ways to Avoid Blowing a Fuse Over the Holidays

Make sure you’re using the right extension cord 

If you’re using an indoor extension cord in an outdoor setting or vice versa, you might be prone to blown fuses. Indoor extension cords aren’t equipped to handle outdoor lighting. You don’t want too many things plugged into the extension cord either.  You can also get a smart cord that will alert you when you’re plugging in too much. 

Be mindful of where you’re plugging in your decorations

Oftentimes, if you’re trying to plug all of your decorations into one outlet or one area of your house, you’re going to blow a fuse at some point. An electrical handyman would tell you to spread out your lights throughout the home to prevent overloading a circuit and blowing a fuse. 

Consider updating your lights or decorations

Different types of lights require different amounts of electricity. If you find yourself constantly blowing a fuse with your holiday lights, consider upgrading to  LED lights which use less energy and are less prone to breaking your lights. In general, you’ll want to make sure that all of your decorations are in good shape and aren’t worn down in anyway. 

Have your electrical system checked

If you live in an older home with faulty wiring, or haven’t had your electricity looked at in the last 5 to 10 years, call an expert to make sure your decorations won’t overload the system. An electrical handyman can help you identify any potential problem areas before they become a hazard.

What else can help? 

Light timers are a great way to regulate your total circuit usage this holiday season. Additionally, limiting what you plug in or have turned on at once might help you avoid blowing a breaker. If you find that you’re constantly blowing a fuse or losing power outside of the holiday season, talk with an electrical handyman to figure out what could be the cause.