The holiday season in Everett is a magical time of year. From the festive displays at the Port of Everett to the charming lights lining the streets of the Northwest Neighborhood, our community knows how to celebrate. However, as you prepare your Everett home for the arrival of family and friends, there is one critical item that often gets left off the “to-do” list: ensuring your home’s electrical system can handle the increased holiday load.
Whether you are hosting a large Christmas dinner or having relatives stay through the New Year, the demand on your home’s wiring increases significantly. Between extra kitchen appliances, high-wattage space heaters, and miles of festive lighting, hidden hazards can quickly surface. This is why professional electrical safety inspections in Everett are the ultimate “gift of safety” you can give your family and guests this year.
Why the Holidays Stress Your Everett Home’s Wiring
Many homes in Everett, particularly our beautiful historic residences, were not designed for the modern electrical demands of 2025. When you add a dozen guests who all need to charge devices, run hair dryers, and use the guest suite’s vintage heating system, you are pushing your electrical panel to its limit.
Electrical safety inspections in Everett are designed to identify where your system is vulnerable. During the winter months, when the Puget Sound wind and rain are at their peak, a small wiring flaw can turn into a major emergency. By scheduling electrical safety inspections in Everett before the first guest rings your doorbell, you ensure that your holiday memories are filled with joy, not flickering lights or tripped breakers.
5 Hidden Electrical Hazards to Check Before Guests Arrive
While you may be focused on the guest towels and the menu, these five hidden hazards are what Everett homeowners should truly be concerned about.
1. Overloaded Guest Room Circuits
Most guest rooms in Everett homes are used sparingly throughout the year. When guests arrive, they bring laptops, tablets, and phones. If the room is chilly, they might plug in a portable space heater. These devices, combined with old wiring, can easily overload a 15-amp circuit. Professional electrical safety inspections in Everett check these “low-traffic” areas to ensure the breakers are functioning and the outlets are tight and secure.
2. The Kitchen “Appliance Avalanche”
Holiday hosting means every kitchen appliance is working overtime. From the electric roasting pan to the stand mixer and the extra coffee maker, your kitchen circuits are under immense pressure. In older Everett kitchens, you might not have enough dedicated circuits for these high-draw items. Electrical safety inspections in Everett can determine if your kitchen is equipped with the necessary GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection to keep your cooking space safe from shocks and fires.
3. Outdated Extension Cord Use
It is tempting to use extension cords as a permanent solution for holiday decor or to reach a guest’s bedside table. However, extension cords are only intended for temporary use. Running them under rugs or through doorways can pinch the wires, leading to overheating. A key part of electrical safety inspections in Everett involves identifying “daisy-chained” cords that could pose a fire risk to your guests.
4. Hidden Damage in the Attic or Crawlspace
In Everett, rodents looking for warmth during the winter often find their way into attics and crawlspaces. These pests love to chew on wire insulation. You might not notice the damage until you plug in a heavy load of holiday lights or a guest turns on a space heater. Electrical safety inspections in Everett include a thorough check of accessible wiring to ensure no “critter damage” is lurking behind your walls.
5. Outdoor Lighting Risks
Everett winters are notoriously damp. If your outdoor holiday lights are plugged into outlets without weatherproof covers or GFCI protection, moisture can cause a short circuit. This doesn’t just ruin your light display; it can damage your home’s main electrical panel.
The Benefits of Professional Electrical Safety Inspections in Everett
You might wonder if a DIY check is enough. While walking through your home to look for frayed cords is a great start, a professional inspection goes much deeper. When In-House Electric performs electrical safety inspections in Everett, we use specialized tools to “see” what’s happening inside your walls.
- Thermal Imaging: We can detect “hot spots” in your panel or outlets that indicate a loose connection or an overloaded circuit before it starts a fire.
- Code Compliance: We ensure your home meets the latest Washington State electrical codes, which is vital for your insurance and your family’s safety.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that a licensed Everett professional has cleared your home for the holidays allows you to focus on your guests.
Preparing Your Home for the Inspection
To get the most out of your electrical safety inspections in Everett, consider making a list of any electrical “quirks” you’ve noticed lately.
- Do the lights dim when the microwave starts?
- Is there an outlet in the hallway that feels warm to the touch?
- Have you had to reset a breaker more than once this month?
Sharing these details with your Everett electrician helps them pinpoint potential trouble spots quickly. In our local climate, where moisture and aging infrastructure are common, electrical safety inspections in Everett are not just a luxury, they are a critical part of home maintenance.
A Local Everett Checklist for Holiday Safety
Before your guests arrive, run through this quick checklist. If you find yourself checking “No” to any of these, it’s time to call for electrical safety inspections in Everett:
- GFCI Testing: Are the test/reset buttons working on all kitchen and bathroom outlets?
- Smoke Detectors: Have you replaced the batteries and tested every alarm in the house?
- Space Heater Safety: Are all heaters plugged directly into a wall outlet (never a power strip)?
- Panel Access: Is your electrical panel clear of clutter so you can reach it quickly in an emergency?
- Cord Integrity: Are all holiday light strands free of cracks, fraying, or bare wires?
Don’t Wait for a Holiday Emergency
The holidays should be a time of relaxation and celebration. Don’t let a preventable electrical fire or a sudden power outage ruin your festivities. By prioritizing electrical safety inspections in Everett, you are taking a proactive step to protect your home and everyone in it.
At In-House Electric, we’ve been serving the Everett community since 2009. We understand the unique challenges of our local homes and the specific demands of the Puget Sound winter. Give your home the “Gift of Safety” this year and ensure your holiday season is bright for all the right reasons.
Ready to Secure Your Everett Home for the Holidays?
Don’t leave your guest’s safety to chance. Contact In-House Electric today to schedule your comprehensive electrical safety inspections in Everett. Our licensed, local experts will ensure your wiring is ready for the holiday rush.
Call us at (425) 760-3203 or [Click Here to Book Your Inspection Online]! We serve all of Everett, Marysville, and the surrounding Snohomish County areas.