The holiday season brings joy, twinkling lights, and… a higher risk of power surges? That’s right—between indoor decorations, outdoor inflatables, ovens running full blast, and colder weather causing utility spikes, December is one of the most common months for home electrical damage.
If your home isn’t protected against surges, all those lights, gadgets, and expensive appliances could be at risk.
Here’s what causes holiday surges—and how to protect your devices, your décor, and your peace of mind all season long.
1. Holiday Lights + Cold Weather = Surge Central
December means more demand on the grid. Add holiday lights, electric heaters, and storm-related outages into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for sudden spikes in voltage. When the power flickers or returns after an outage, the surge can damage whatever’s plugged in.
Fix: Install a whole-house surge protector to intercept high-voltage bursts before they reach your devices. Think of it like a security system for your electricity.
2. Outdoor Décor Needs Extra Protection
Inflatables, lights, and projectors are fun—but they also introduce electrical risks, especially when connected to outdated or unprotected outlets. If moisture gets into those connections, a surge could damage your setup (or worse, start a fire).
Fix: Use outdoor-rated extension cords and plug everything into GFCI outlets with surge protection. And always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how many light strands can be safely connected.
3. Your New Tech Gifts Are Vulnerable, Too
Smart TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, and high-end appliances are all popular holiday gifts—but they’re also sensitive to voltage fluctuations. A single surge can shorten their lifespan or completely fry their internal components.
Fix: Whole-home surge protection helps safeguard every outlet in the house, so you don’t need to rely on plug-in strips that only cover one device at a time.
4. Power Strips Aren’t a Long-Term Solution
Basic power strips give a false sense of security. Most aren’t rated for storm surges or major voltage fluctuations and need replacing every few years. And if you’re plugging a power strip into another power strip? That’s a fire waiting to happen.
Fix: A professional-grade surge protector installed at your electrical panel protects your entire home at once—no daisy-chaining required.
Keep the Holidays Bright—Without the Burnout
A little prevention goes a long way toward protecting your home, your holiday spirit, and your most important devices. Whether you’re going full Griswold with your lights or just want to make sure your smart oven makes it through Christmas dinner, whole-house surge protection is a smart investment this season.
Call us at 316-789-0636 or submit a service request to schedule your whole-home surge protection installation before the holidays hit full swing!
