The holidays are nearly here, which means it's time to string up the lights. And while it doesn't take an electrician to get that job done, it doesn't hurt to think like an electrician - especially when it comes to safety.

Whenever you're using electricity, heat-producing lighting and power cords, it's a good idea to observe some basic precautions to avoid accidental shock, burns, fire and tripping hazards. This and every holiday decorating season, observe these simple tips for a safe and festive experience:

Inspect and Test

Before putting up any electrical holiday decorations, take time to thoroughly inspect them for damage. If you find frayed wires or signs of melted plastic, don't use those decorations - throw them away and replace them. If they appear to be in good condition, test them before hanging them up. There's nothing more frustrating than stringing up a strand of lights only to find out it's a dud!

Upgrade Your Lights

If your lights are showing signs of wear or you just feel it's time for an upgrade, consider switching to LEDs if you haven't already. LEDs are not only brighter and more energy efficient, they're safer because they produce almost no heat.

No Dry Trees

If you have a live tree, be sure to give it plenty of water. A dry tree can burn quickly, and any significant source of heat could pose a serious fire risk. Be especially careful to hydrate your tree if you're using lights, and never allow candles in the area of your tree stand.

Careful With the Cords

Be deliberate about where you run all cords and wires, including strands of lights. Never run cords across walking paths, as this can create an unsafe tripping hazard. You should also never run cords under rugs or through doorways, as this can cause damage that could lead to electrical shock or fire.

Stay on Your Feet

If you need a ladder to hang your lights, have a friend hold the ladder and act as a spotter. Wear non-slip shoes and make sure your ladder is locked into position on a level surface before climbing.

Right Lights for the Job

Most strands of lights are rated for either indoor or outdoor use. Indoor lights are not designed to withstand all-weather conditions, and in the worst-case scenario, using them outdoors can lead to electrical shock or a fire.

Any homeowner can observe these smart tips, but they might not address all of your holiday decorating challenges. If you find that you need new outlets installed to make your lighting scheme a reality, reach out to your licensed, local electricians while there's still time to decorate!

From island lighting to crystal chandeliers, 2015 marks the International Year of Light.  Make your home a haven for relaxation and a haunt for partying it up with your best friends–the right lighting design dictates the mood, so spend a little extra time mapping out your lighting plan and selecting the right light fixtures and light sources.

Ceiling fixtures from Quoizel Lighting add a festive finishing touch to this handsomely tailored den.

Never underestimate the power of a great lighting design.  For personal assistance in customizing your lighting plan, visit with a professional lighting consultant at a Capitol Lighting showroom or 1800lighting.com.

Custom Electrical Services was recently voted for first place for Urbandale and Johnston area as best electrician!  The pole was taken by USA Today Best, and was presented by the Des Moines Register.  The voting is segmented into different areas by city.  Not all areas have the polls closed as of date.  The Urbandale and Johnston closed on September 27th, 2016.  The Des Moines metro voting closes on October 11th, 2016.  Custom Electrical Services would like to thank all the Urbandale and Johnston residence who took the time to vote.  We are proud to serve the Urbandale and Johnston area 24 / 7 as well as all of central Iowa!

We take pride in our work.  Our track record supports this.  Our electricians are not only licensed.  They receive special training that gives them superior customer service skills compared to other electricians.  We work hard to provide the best customer service experience possible.  Our electricians understand that your home is your castle.  They show respect for you and your property.  We are not your typical electrician that comes out and says your project is going to cost X.  We take the time to evaluate your entire electrical system as well as perform our full page safety inspection.  This provides a TON of added value to our service.  When is the last time someone took your panel cover off and inspected all your connections?  Most customers say not since I have lived here!  Electrical connections can loosen over time.  Wiring can expand and retract as loads fluctuate on the circuits, this expansion and loosen the connections inside your panel or breaker box.  Loose connections can leave to excessive arching and can cause fires.

Who are you letting into your home?  Our electricians receive an extensive background check.  We are not going to send a criminal into your home.  We realize the delicate nature of having strangers come into your home.  While you may not personally know the electrician you can rest assured we do!  Our background checked electricians are team members, not sub contractors.  We employee them full time and work one on one with them on a daily basis.  We work with them to develop the best customer experience possible.  We want you to feel comfortable with having our trained service technician in your home so you can be just as comfortable as we are with them.

In addition to a 3rd party background check our electricians receive drug testing.  You would not a person on drugs drive your kids to school!  So you defiantly don’t want an electrician on drugs performing wiring in your home!  Are drug tested and background checked electricians were the seal of safety.  This seal is worn with pride and taken very seriously.  When you see the seal of safety on our electricians uniform you know that you are working with a safe professional.

Are you impressed by the nation's current lineup of efficient electrical appliances and devices? You ain't seen nothing yet, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The DOE recently released a report previewing some of the big technological breakthroughs that are poised to help you get the most out of your residential electrical work. These advances promise to reduce the energy consumption of the average household while still delivering effective performance. Read on to learn what your next refrigerator, clothes dryer and lighting system could look like.

More Efficient and Effective Electrical Work

The Department of Energy predicts the following leaps forward for some of our commonly used appliances:

Cut Back on Energy Use Sooner, Not Later

Don't wait until the future to beef up the efficiency in your home electrical work. For help identifying opportunities to cut back on energy use, contact a licensed electrician to conduct a thorough energy efficiency audit.