A trademark of the season is the dazzling glow of Christmas lights, but making sure your decorations are safe is just as crucial as making them seem merry. Important advice for keeping your holiday celebrations bright and safe has been provided by the McCutchanville Fire Department.
Inspect Your Lights and Cords
Verify all of the cables and bulbs before hanging lights. Any with loose connections, frayed wires, or broken sockets should be thrown out. Remember to check your extension cords as well; broken cords are a major risk.
See Also: Evansville Christmas Lights: A Map of Southern Indiana’s Christmas Lights
Use the Right Lights in the Right Places
Lights and extension cords with an outdoor rating are necessary for outdoor decorations. For piece of mind, look for certificates from labs that have been certified by OSHA, including Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
Practice Smart Extension Cord Use
Cords should not be coiling tightly or running beneath rugs because this can cause overheating. To lower the risk of a fire, make sure the cords you use are rated for the electrical load they will support and steer clear of overloading circuits.
Upgrade to LED Lights
For holiday décor, LED lights are a more secure and economical choice. They stay cooler and consume a lot less energy than conventional lights, which lowers the risk of a fire.
Safety Tips for Outdoor Decorating
Always glance skyward when decorating outdoors! Decorations and ladders should not be near electrical wires. For grounding protection, plug outdoor lights into GFCI outlets or, if necessary, purchase portable GFCI units.
Time It Right
For your holiday lights, think about utilizing programmable timers. This helps control energy use and guarantees that they are switched off while you are not home.
Avoid Dangerous Fasteners
Avoid using staples, tacks, or nails to secure lights since they can harm the insulation of the wiring. Instead, use clips or non-damaging fasteners.
You can make your house safe and your holidays bright with a little planning. Use these pointers to brighten your season in a safe and joyful way!
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
