Football season is here, which means weekends filled with friends, family, good food, and plenty of cheering from the living room—or maybe the backyard. Practicing game day electrical safety can help you enjoy the big game without worrying about electrical hazards.
Before you invite everyone over, take a few minutes to think about your home’s electrical system. Today’s game-day setup can involve a surprising number of devices, from large-screen TVs and streaming equipment to speakers, refrigerators, slow cookers, outdoor TVs, patio heaters, and phone chargers.
When several devices are plugged into the same area, your electrical system can quickly become overloaded.
Here are some game day electrical safety tips every homeowner should know.
Don’t Overload Your Outlets
One of the easiest ways to create an electrical hazard during a football party is by plugging too many devices into one outlet or power strip.
Your entertainment center might include:
- A large-screen television
- Streaming device
- Soundbar or surround-sound system
- Gaming console
- Wi-Fi equipment
- Charging stations
- Decorative lighting
If you’re adding more equipment for game day, be mindful of how much you’re plugging into a single circuit.
Power strips provide additional outlets, but they don’t increase the amount of electricity the circuit can safely provide. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends not overloading extension cords or power strips.
If you regularly rely on multiple power strips or extension cords, your home may need additional receptacles or a dedicated circuit.
Be Careful With Extension Cords
Extension cords can be useful for temporary game-day setups, but they aren’t a substitute for permanent electrical wiring.
If you need an extension cord, make sure it is appropriate for the equipment you’re powering and that it isn’t damaged, cracked, frayed, or hot to the touch.
The CPSC recommends using extension cords only when necessary and on a temporary basis. Outdoor equipment should be connected using cords specifically rated for outdoor use.
Never run extension cords where they can become a tripping hazard, and don’t place them underneath rugs or carpets where heat can’t escape.
If you need extension cords every weekend just to operate your entertainment setup, it may be time to have an electrician install additional outlets.
Give Your Big-Screen TV Some Breathing Room
That massive TV is probably the star of your game-day setup, so make sure it’s installed and powered properly.
Avoid using damaged cords or loose outlets. If the receptacle behind your TV feels loose, warm, or damaged, have it inspected by an electrician.
It’s also important to avoid cramming multiple high-powered devices into a single outlet simply because it has multiple receptacles.
A properly planned entertainment area can make your setup safer and eliminate the need for a tangle of extension cords.
Don’t Forget Your Streaming Devices
Today’s football viewing experience often involves more than just a TV.
You may also have:
- Streaming sticks or boxes
- Gaming systems
- Soundbars
- Receivers
- Wi-Fi routers
- Cable or satellite equipment
- Smart-home devices
Most of these devices don’t use a tremendous amount of electricity individually, but they can add to the number of connections around your entertainment center.
Keep cords organized and make sure ventilation openings on electronic equipment aren’t blocked.
Check Your Outdoor Entertainment Setup
Planning to watch the game outside?
Outdoor TVs, speakers, refrigerators, lighting, and other equipment require some extra attention.
Make sure electrical equipment is specifically designed for outdoor use and that outdoor receptacles have the appropriate protection.
Don’t use indoor extension cords outdoors. Outdoor cords are designed to withstand conditions that indoor cords aren’t designed to handle.
Also keep cords away from standing water, wet areas, walkways, and places where they can be damaged.
If you’re creating a permanent outdoor entertainment area, consider having an electrician install properly located outdoor receptacles rather than relying on extension cords.
Watch Out for the Game-Day Kitchen
The TV isn’t the only place where your electrical system gets busy.
Football parties often mean the kitchen is working overtime.
You might have:
- Slow cookers
- Air fryers
- Electric griddles
- Coffee makers
- Microwaves
- Blenders
- Electric warmers
- Refrigerators and freezers
Try to distribute appliances across different circuits when possible. Plugging several high-wattage appliances into outlets on the same circuit can cause the breaker to trip. You should never use plug strips for any of the above appliances due to their electrical demand.
If your breaker trips every time you host a party, don’t simply keep resetting it. A frequently tripping breaker can indicate an overloaded circuit or another electrical issue that should be investigated.
Keep Drinks Away From Electrical Equipment
Football parties and beverages go together—but electricity and spilled drinks don’t.
Keep drinks away from:
- TVs
- Power strips
- Extension cord connections
- Gaming systems
- Outdoor electrical equipment
- Receptacles
If something gets wet, don’t assume it’s safe just because it appears to be working normally. Disconnect power safely and have damaged equipment evaluated or replaced as appropriate.
Pay Attention to GFCI Protection Outdoors
Outdoor receptacles are exposed to moisture, making proper protection especially important.
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection is designed to help protect people from electrical shock by quickly interrupting power when a ground fault is detected.
If an outdoor receptacle or GFCI device isn’t working properly, don’t ignore it.
This is especially important when you’re setting up outdoor TVs, speakers, refrigerators, lighting, or other electrical equipment for football season.
Don’t Ignore Warm or Buzzing Outlets
Before game day, take a quick look around your home as part of your game day electrical safety checklist.
If you notice an outlet or switch that is:
- Warm or hot
- Discolored
- Cracked
- Loose
- Buzzing
- Sparking
- Producing a burning smell
Stop using it and have it inspected by a qualified electrician.
These aren’t normal characteristics of a properly functioning electrical system.
If you ever smell smoke/burning you should immediately call the fire department/911 to ensure your home’s safety.
Consider Adding Outlets Before Football Season
If your entertainment area always seems to have a mess of extension cords and power strips, the problem may not be your devices—it may be your home’s electrical layout.
Adding strategically placed outlets can make your entertainment space more convenient while reducing your dependence on extension cords.
An electrician can evaluate your existing circuits and determine whether you need additional receptacles or a dedicated circuit for your entertainment setup.
This can be especially helpful for:
- Home theaters
- Finished basements
- Man caves
- Outdoor patios
- Home bars
- Outdoor kitchens
- Garage entertainment areas
Consider Adding Outlets Before Football Season
Fall weather makes outdoor football parties especially appealing.
If you’re creating a permanent backyard entertainment area, think beyond the TV.
You may want electrical power for:
- Outdoor TVs
- Speakers
- Patio lighting
- Ceiling fans
- Refrigerators
- Outdoor and indoor kitchens
- Heated seating areas
- Charging stations
Instead of running extension cords across your yard every weekend, consider having a professional electrician design a permanent electrical solution for your outdoor space.
Make Your Home Game-Day Ready
Football season should be about enjoying the game—not worrying about a tripped breaker, overloaded power strip, or electrical hazard.
Before your next game-day gathering, take a few minutes to look at your electrical setup. Make sure cords are in good condition, avoid overloading outlets and power strips, keep electrical equipment away from water, and use outdoor-rated equipment when you’re watching outside.
These simple game day electrical safety steps can help protect your home, guests, and electronics.
And if your home doesn’t have enough outlets or circuits to handle your family’s entertainment needs, Jason Wright Electric can help you find a safer, more convenient solution.
From adding outlets and dedicated circuits to improving outdoor electrical setups, professional electrical upgrades can help your home keep up with the way you actually use it.
Need an electrician in the Kansas City area? Contact Jason Wright Electric to schedule an electrical service.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace an evaluation by a qualified electrician. Follow all manufacturer instructions and applicable electrical codes for your specific installation.