Holiday outdoor lighting can add a festive touch to your home, but that’s only if they’re up and running safely. It’s essential to prioritize complete safety when decorating no matter if it’s in the yard, on the ground, on the roof, or around the windows. Let Ocean State Job Lot take you down the safe path with some tips to ensure your Christmas lights are both beautiful and buttoned up securely for the holiday season.
Choose the Right Bulbs
There are two things to look for when choosing the right bulbs to use to set the mood for your holiday decor. LED bulbs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and less likely to overheat. Secondly, you want to make sure that they are weatherproof and can withstand the harsh winter weather conditions that normally batter the Northeast.
Aside from that, color and size are probably your biggest decisions to make. String lights are generally best used on the house and gutters. Big bulbed lights are usually used throughout the yard. Either can be used to light up the front bushes.
Inspect Extension Cords
Because you are outdoors and your holiday lighting installation tends to be more spread out, you are more likely to be using several extension cords plugged into one another. The biggest thing you’ll want to do before setting up anything, either lights or holiday displays, is check the condition of those cords. Make sure none are frayed or have damaged plugs.
Inspect them for cracks or cuts as well. Remember not to overload them as well because this could cause overheating and a fire hazard.
Finally, make sure you are using outdoor-rated cords for outdoor use only. You’ll be able to see that marked clearly on the cord’s label.
Protect Power Sources – GFCI outlets
Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets for outdoor lighting to protect against electrical shocks. Those shocks could cause a surge, ultimately leading to a fire and damage to your house.
Things to Avoid
- Loose Lights: Make sure you’re using appropriate fasteners such as sturdy nails, screws, or hooks to securely mount light strings and fixtures.
- Don’t put lights near any power lines. Keep them at least 10 feet away.
- Don’t put lights near sprinklers. Electricity and water do not mix and you don’t want the water to trip the GFCI.
Daily Checks
Regular checks of your cords, your connections to the plugs and making sure that all the lights are on will make your Christmas display stand out all that more this holiday season. It only takes a few moments, too!
Unplug the lights every night before going to sleep or put them on a timer so they are not always on. This will not only prevent the risk of causing a fire, the bulbs burning out over and over again, but it will also save you money in the long run.
The goal is always to enjoy the beauty of the holiday with the joys of both your indoor and outdoor holiday lighting without compromising any of the safety. Remember, a little extra effort can go a long way in preventing accidents and ensuring a happy and safe holiday season.
If you would like to learn more about how to outline your house with Christmas lights, you check out our post on that topic by clicking here.
Visit your local Ocean State Job Lot for all your holiday season needs!