There’s nothing quite like the festive glow of holiday lights to make your home feel magical. Whether you’re decking out the front yard with a sparkling display or wrapping fairy lights around your veranda, it’s all part of getting into the Christmas spirit.
But before you plug in those twinkling strands, there’s something far more important than aesthetics—electrical safety.
Every year, Aussie homes experience preventable electrical accidents around the holidays, often due to overloaded circuits, dodgy extension cords, or worn-out light sets. So before you get tangled up (literally and figuratively) in your decorations, it’s worth taking a few precautionary steps.
Here’s how to keep your home safe, energy-efficient, and festive—with help from the pros when you need it.
Before hanging a single light, it’s smart to make sure your home’s electrical system is up to the task. The added load from outdoor displays, fairy lights, and inflatable decorations can strain older wiring or overloaded circuits.
A licensed electrician can check your switchboard, power points, and outdoor sockets to ensure everything’s working safely and compliant with current Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000).
They’ll look for:
Signs of wear and tear in wiring and outlets
RCD (safety switch) performance and response time
Adequate circuit capacity to handle your decorations
Proper earthing and waterproofing for outdoor setups
If you’ve recently renovated or added new electrical appliances, this check is especially important. And if you’re not sure when your last electrical safety inspection was, now’s the time to book one.
(Find a licensed sparkie near you through ServiceSeeking.com.au—just post your job and get free quotes fast.)
It’s tempting to just grab last year’s lights from the storage box and plug them straight in, but they deserve a quick check-up too.
Inspect each strand carefully:
Look for frayed wires, cracked bulbs, or damaged plugs.
Toss out any lights that are worn or missing insulation.
Check that your light sets are approved for Australian use, with a Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) or “C-Tick” symbol.
Only use outdoor-rated lights outside—indoor lights aren’t designed to withstand moisture or temperature changes.
Extension leads also need a once-over. Avoid daisy-chaining multiple power boards or cords together, as this can overload the circuit and create a fire hazard. If you need more reach, use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension lead and keep the connection points off the ground and protected from rain.
Outdoor decorations often mean running cords through windows or doors, but that can pinch cables and cause insulation damage. Instead, use weatherproof outdoor power points—they’re designed for this exact purpose.
A licensed electrician can install these safely if you don’t have any yet. They can also fit RCD-protected outlets, which automatically cut power if there’s a fault—preventing electric shock or fires.
If you’re setting up lights in the garden, use cable clips or stakes to elevate cords and avoid water pooling around them. Keep all connections off the ground and away from metal fencing or gutters.
Between air conditioning, ovens, and light displays, it’s easy to push your electrical system to its limits during the holidays.
Here are a few quick checks to prevent overload:
Plug lights into separate outlets if possible.
Don’t connect multiple light sets end-to-end unless the packaging says it’s safe.
Choose LED lights over traditional incandescent ones—they use up to 80% less energy and produce less heat.
Turn off lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
If your circuit breakers keep tripping, that’s a clear sign your system can’t handle the load. Time to call in an electrician to check your wiring or upgrade your switchboard.
Want your display to shine without staying up late to switch it off? Plug-in timers or smart plugs are a simple, safe solution.
Set your lights to turn on at sunset and off before midnight—saving electricity and reducing fire risk. Some smart plugs even let you control your lights remotely from your phone.
Electricians can also help integrate smart home systems, so you can manage your entire display with a single app (perfect for the tech-savvy decorator).
Even though LED lights produce minimal heat, it’s best to keep any electrical decorations clear of flammable materials. That includes curtains, dry branches, tinsel, and paper ornaments.
If you’re decorating a Christmas tree, check that the lights aren’t bunched up in one area. Spread them evenly to allow air circulation, and never leave them on unattended.
A large portion of holiday injuries come not from electricity—but from falls. So before you climb the ladder:
Make sure it’s stable and on level ground.
Don’t lean too far to the side—move the ladder instead.
Have someone spot you if you’re working at height.
Never install lights on a wet day or when cords are damp.
If your setup involves high eaves, rooflines, or complex wiring, it might be worth hiring a licensed electrician or handyman who’s used to working safely at heights.
You’ll save time, avoid injury, and end up with a professional-looking display.
Electrical work isn’t something to “wing it.” Even if you’re confident with simple tasks, it’s best to leave anything involving wiring, outlets, or new connections to a qualified sparkie.
A professional electrician can:
Install extra outdoor outlets safely
Test your safety switches and circuits
Replace old or faulty fittings
Upgrade your switchboard if you’re running high loads
Plus, they’ll ensure all work is up to Australian standards—keeping your family and property protected.
You can easily find and compare electricians on ServiceSeeking.com.au. Just post a job, mention what you need (like “Christmas light installation” or “safety inspection”), and you’ll get free quotes from local pros within minutes.
Think of electrical safety as part of your annual decorating ritual. Just like checking the fairy lights for tangles, make it a habit to have your wiring inspected before you switch on the sparkle.
Not only does it keep your loved ones safe, but it also ensures your lights run efficiently and last longer.
After all, the best way to spread holiday cheer is to do it safely—without tripping breakers or blowing fuses.
The holidays are meant to be bright, joyful, and worry-free. With a few simple precautions—and the right tradie help—you can enjoy a stunning light display that’s both safe and spectacular.
So before you plug in those reindeer and snowflakes, make sure your electrical system is up to the task.
Get it checked, stay safe, and light up your home with confidence this season.
If you’re not sure where to start, find a local electrician today at ServiceSeeking.com.au—and get your home holiday-ready in no time.