Christmas lights are the hallmark of that festive season: a joy to the eyes and the pride of every home and yard that hangs them. That said, all those lights can be a huge drain on your home’s energy and could present a big safety risk. Here are some tips for ensuring your merry Christmas stays that way.
First, you need to know the difference between indoor and outdoor Christmas lights. While they may look the same as their indoor counterparts, outdoor lights are weatherproofed against snow, sleet, and rain. Be sure that your outdoor lights are also good quality. UL-certified lights are a safe bet.
Extension cords are commonplace during the festive season and are used around the house to power various lights and decorations. But they can also present a fire hazard if plugged into an overloaded outlet, or be tripped over if they’re left snaking across a floor. Keep your cords close to the wall and plugged into a power strip with a surge protector for safety.
Speaking of overloaded outlets, try not to plug too many lights and decorations into any one outlet. This makes sparking and brownouts a real possibility, not to mention it can cause a circuit breaker to trip. Always use power strips for your lighting and share the load across multiple points. GFCI outlets help prevent shocks when plugging anything in, so be sure to use them for all decorations.
If your electrical system is struggling to keep up with regular loads throughout the year, then it’ll definitely suffer during the festive season with additional power demands. Be sure to upgrade any electrical system that’s 10 years old, or showing its age.
Finally, LED lights are definitely the way to go with Christmas decorations. Not only do they draw less power and keep your power bill lower, but they don’t generate nearly as much heat as older Christmas lights. This makes them ideal for Christmas trees and for using around flammable items like curtains.
Key Takeaways:
- Make sure your outside lights are weather-proofed and carry the UL safety seal.
- Plug extension cords into power strips and not directly into outlets.
- Consider upgrading your electrical panel, especially if it is over 10 years old.
“However, light displays can also create major electrical hazards unless people take precautions.”
Read more: https://www.schererelectric.com/blog/electrical/electrical-safety-tips-for-christmas-lighting/
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