It’s that time of year again. Christmas is almost here, and if you haven’t already, you’re probably about to put up the tree, get out the decorations, and hang the lights. However, for the safety of your electrical system and the rest of your property this season, it’s important to practice caution when it comes to that holiday lighting display. Keep reading to learn our experienced St. Paul electricians’ top 5 safety tips for Christmas lights, and remember to call Service Today! for all your electrical service needs.
Our Top 5 Christmas Light Safety Tips Are:
- Throw Out Old Lights in Favor of Modern, Energy-Efficient LED Lights: While you may have a sentimental attachment to your old Christmas lights, the truth is after enough years, you will need to consider an upgrade. The older your Christmas lights are, the greater chance there is they will be broken or cracked, or have exposed wires. To reduce the chance of electrical fires, you should throw out outdated lights and purchase modern LED ones. Not only will these Christmas lights look great, they are also more energy-efficient, meaning they won’t drive up your electrical bill by a great amount.
- Don’t Overload Your Outlets: Overloading your outlets not only increases the likelihood of electrical fires, it can also create a tripping hazard and increases the risk of short circuits in your electrical system. It is a good idea to limit the amount or light strands you use at once for this reason. Buying newer, energy-efficient lights will also help prevent this.
- Never Use Nails or Screws to Put Lights Up: While you may have seen someone use nails or screws to put lights on their house, this is extremely dangerous. Not only is screwing or nailing lights bad for your roof, it also increases the chances of exposed wires or cracked bulbs. Remember, when it comes to putting lights up this Christmas, clips are your friend.
- Keep Indoor Lights Indoors & Outdoor Lights Outdoors: Many people assume that indoor and outdoor Christmas lights are basically interchangeable. However, this is not always the case. Outdoor lights are usually made to withstand the elements in a way that some indoor lights are not. Make sure to check where your Christmas lights are supposed to be hung before putting them up, and if you use outdoor lights, try to find or install GFCI outlets on your property.
- Turn Your Lights Off When You Go to Bed at Night/Go Out of Town: For the sake of your electrical bill and the safety of your home, it’s always better to turn your lights off when you to go to bed or are away for long periods at a time. While you will likely want to display your lights as much as possible over the holidays, even the most efficient lights should not be left on unattended, because when it’s come to electrical safety, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
For more electrical safety assistance, dial (888) 998-2032, or contact us online. And from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
