Yes, it’s a valid concern. In a typical home, many circuits are 15A at about 120V, which is roughly 1800W maximum. Some circuits may be 20A, but you shouldn’t assume that.

To estimate the load, add the wattage of all lights on that circuit, then divide by the line voltage to get amps:

amps = watts ÷ volts

Example: 1500W ÷ 117V ≈ 12.8A.

Plugging lights into different outlets can help only if those outlets are actually on different circuits. Outlets in the same room, nearby rooms, and even ceiling lights or appliances may share one breaker, so different outlets do not guarantee separate capacity.

If the residence wiring is up to code and the fixtures are in good condition, overloading a circuit should trip the breaker rather than create a fire hazard. The bigger practical issue is nuisance: tripping breakers and interrupting clocks, TVs, set-top boxes, and other electronics.

So: calculate total wattage, be conservative, and don’t assume separate outlets mean separate circuits.