It’s fun and festive to light up your home for the holidays. It creates a holiday spirit and lifts the mood of passersby. However, as beautiful as a light display can be, there are dangers lurking behind the scenes. Here’s how to safely light up your home for the holidays.
Map Out Your Display
Do some planning and create a display map. Figure out what areas you want the lights to go in. Porch railings, door frames, walkways, and the roofline are popular spots to light up. Measure the areas where you want to hang the lights. Make sure you have enough lights to cover the space you want.
Inspect the Lights
Check out the condition of last year’s lights to make sure they’re still usable. Damage to the cord or light bulb could cause an electric shock or a fire when plugged in. Replace any questionable strings of lights.
Speaking of lights, it’s a good idea to switch to LED lights. They are cool to the touch and use less electricity than traditional Christmas lights. LED lights will also last for many more seasons.
Also, never run lights through open windows or doors. When either one is closed, it can cause wires to break and become a safety hazard.
Select Proper Light Clips
Don’t nail or staple string lights to your home. It could damage the light wiring and your home. Zip ties are a good option. They are low maintenance and cost effective. They can easily secure lights to various sized banisters and railings. Plastic light clips are the best option to use to safely hang lights. Metal clips are better conductors of electricity and are more likely to give you a painful shock.
Check Electrical Components
Using too much extra electricity increases the threat of fires, shocks, tripped circuit breakers, and blown fuses. You should use only 80% of your circuit’s capacity at any time. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your lights and how many you can safely string together and plug in to an outlet. Make sure outside receptacles have ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, that work. Use only extension cords for lights that are rated for outdoor use.
Don’t Fall Off the Ladder
Ladder safety is extremely important. You will likely need an extension ladder to hang lights on eaves, gutters, and windows. A ladder needs to be on solid ground and stable. Check for missing rungs, loose bolts, and wobbly components before climbing up. Don’t place the ladder at too steep of an angle.
UL Safety Certification
Choose lights that have a UL Safety Certification. This means they meet industry standards for safety and sustainability. They are also free from any foreseeable risk of fire or danger. If your lights don’t have this seal, replace them with ones that do.
Types of Lights
Let’s quickly talk about the types of holiday lights that are available in the marketplace. Icicle lights are short strands of bulbs that dangle from a main string and resemble hanging icicles. Net lights connect together to form a web and are perfect for shrubs and trees. Mini lights are exactly that. Rope lights consist of flat LED bulbs placed at even intervals through plastic tubing. Large-bulb lights are used to decorate roofs, gutters, and eaves up high. Light show projectors cast light beams onto your home for a hassle-free light display.
Need Help? Contact Us for Your Electrical Needs
The folks at CKElectric can handle all your electrical projects, big or small! Need a service call? Our electricians can help you figure out why your outlets have stopped working or your panel keeps tripping. We serve Sykesville, Eldersburg, Frederick, and all of Central Maryland. Call us at 443-920-3078 or email us at info@ckelectricllc.com. We are happy to serve you!