Christmas Tips: Indoor & Outdoor Lighting Safety
Christmas Tips You Need to Follow
Many would argue that Christmas lights and decorations are one of the most enjoyable aspects of the holiday season; one can’t help but “ooh” and “aah” at all the dazzling lights and angelic sceneries. In fact, a testament to this is the popular tradition of driving around neighborhoods at night just to see all the different displays homeowners have put up.
When it comes to Christmas lighting and decorations, the possibilities are nearly endless. Whether you decide to go with blown-up animated cartoons such as Frosty and Rudolph, lighted Santa sculptures, pathway lights, or hanging lights such as icicle or snowflake, we guarantee your home will be a beautiful masterpiece by the end of it.
While lighting and decorations are a great way to illuminate your holiday spirit, it’s important to follow safety guidelines to ensure your family and home remain safe. Homeowners use exponentially more electricity this time of year, which can make way for electrical hazards. Make sure to follow these Christmas tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
ESFI Indoor Lighting & Decorating Tips
- Always purchase electrical decorations and lights from reputable retailers.
- Use lights approved for safe use by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
- Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights together.
- Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights.
- Before decorating, determine how many outlets are available and where they are located. Plan your displays accordingly.
- Carefully inspect each electrical decoration. Cracked or damaged sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause a serious shock or start a fire.
- Follow the manufacturer’s use and care instructions that accompany electrical decorations.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices. They can overheat and cause a fire.
- Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.
- Do not mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation.
- Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
- Turn off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.
ESFI Outdoor Lighting & Decorating Tips
- Make sure all extension cords and electrical decorations used for outdoor decorating are marked for outdoor use.
- Match power needs (amperage) of electrical products with amperage rating of extension cords.
- Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold and require no special knowledge or equipment to install.
- Inspect all lights, decorations, and extension cords for damage before using.
- Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, the house, or other firm supports to protect them from wind damage, but take care not to attach the lights in a way that could damage the cord’s insulation.
- Keep all extension cords and light strings clear of snow and standing water.
- Make sure spotlights used to illuminate decorations are well-ventilated, protected from weather, and a safe distance from flammable items.
- Inspect ladders for loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts, and nuts before using.
- Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
- Use the right ladder height, ensuring ladders extend at least three feet past the edge of the roof.
- Exercise caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices. They can overheat and cause a fire.
- Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation.
- Do not mount or support light strings in a way that might damage the cord’s insulation.
- Always unplug electrical decorations before replacing bulbs or fuses.
- Turn off all indoor and outdoor electrical decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.
For more Christmas tips, see last week’s post on Christmas tree safety! If you have any questions or concerns about lighting or decorating, don’t hesitate to give a licensed electrician a call!
Hickerson Electrical is your source for all home electrical services. We’re ready and willing to deliver top-quality service to your home at a moment’s notice. So call today at (703) 594-3913.
And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for updates, guides, and helpful information each week!
