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If you need to visually inspect your Christmas lights to determine which are good and which need replacement, there are a few things to look for. First, look for discoloration, such as a dark spot or two on the inside of the glass. The spot is an indication of a burnt filament. Also, look for missing filaments, cracked bulb glass, and broken sockets.

The National Electric Code states that outlets should not be spaced more than 12 feet apart, and there should be an outlet placed every 6 feet at the floor line in areas designated as living spaces. Most homes in the United States have 75 outlets, but it will depend on the amount you need based on your home's size and your needs.

A home electrical inspection usually takes one to two hours. Full home inspections fall on the longer side, while code compliance inspections that focus on a single repair or installation may only take a few minutes. Optional add-ons like infrared inspections can add time, but these aren’t usually included in your standard inspection.

While most electrical items can be plugged into a GFCI outlet, some appliances with internal or stationary motors, such as refrigerators, vent fans, and fluorescent lighting, can cause nuisance tripping. This happens because they experience a small, normal amount of current leakage, which can cause the GFCI to trip even when the appliance is working correctly. Although this is not a safety hazard, it can be inconvenient and may cause the GFCI outlet to wear out faster. For this reason, it is often better to plug these types of appliances into a standard outlet. Additionally, electrical circuits over 100 feet long can sometimes cause tripping. Some appliances, like hair dryers, have their own built-in GFCI protection, so connecting them to a standard outlet is fine.