Get Holiday Lights and Decor Ready Safely!
When preparing a home’s holiday decor, homeowners must prioritize safety, especially with electrical components involved. They must carefully inspect all holiday lights, extension cords, and other decorations before they start stringing them around their home. Many people are unaware that lights, cords, or decor with even slight damage can become fire hazards. Property owners must check for frayed wires, exposed or loose connections, and cracked bulbs and promptly replace any damaged items.
Incandescent vs. LED Holiday Lights
Homeowners usually plan their yearly decorations, including deciding whether to use incandescent or LED Christmas lights. Knowing key differences can help them make a safe and energy-efficient decision.
- Incandescent Lights: These traditional lights have been known for decades. While they are generally more affordable upfront, they can cost more in the long run in terms of energy consumption. They also generate more heat, posing fire risks if they come in contact with flammable materials like dry pine needles or fabric.
- LED Lights: These types of light decorations are safer and more energy efficient than incandescent lights. They are also cool to the touch, making them ideal for decorating around combustible materials without the fear of starting a fire. While they might be a bit more expensive, these lights are an investment, for they can last much longer in the long run.
Creating a Safe Holiday Display
Before setting up decorations, homeowners must inspect all items thoroughly and plan their design accordingly. Even if they’ve used the same lights for years, they must check each string to ensure there are no broken bulbs, exposed wires, or damaged sockets.
Additionally, they must ensure they’re using lights in the appropriate locations. Only lights labeled for outdoor use should be placed outside, as outdoor holiday lights are specifically designed to handle various weather conditions. Using indoor lights outdoors can lead to short circuits or other electrical issues if exposed to moisture or extreme temperatures.
If property owners use extension cords, they should make sure they’re rated for the intended location. They should also avoid overloading electrical outlets and plugging multiple extension cords together to prevent overheating.
When setting up their outdoor holiday decorations, homeowners must ensure cords aren’t pinched or covered by furniture, carpets, or other heavy objects that might damage the insulation and cause a fire hazard.
Don't Forget Electrical Safety!
To further ensure safety while decorating, homeowners should keep the following electrical safety tips in mind:
- Limit outlet usage. Do not connect too many lights or decorations to a single outlet. Overloaded outlets can overheat and become a fire risk.
- Unplug when not in use: To reduce the risk of electrical fires, homeowners must turn off and unplug holiday lights before bed or leaving the house. Using a timer is also a good way to automate this for convenience.
- Keep lights away from flammable objects: To prevent fire hazards, keep decorations away from flammable items such as curtains or paper.
- Practice safe ladder usage: Many holiday decorating accidents involve falling off from ladders. If homeowners hang lights outside, they should ensure their ladder is on a stable surface and have someone to assist them if possible.
These safety tips can help homeowners enjoy putting up their holiday decorations without worries, creating a cheerful and safe environment for their family and friends.
About E.F. Winslow Home Services
The experts at E.F. Winslow Home Services have more than 50 years of experience serving the Cape. They provide 24/7 live answering services and emergency services. Call them today for electrical services in South Yarmouth, MA.
