6 Tips to Stay Safe While Putting Up Holiday Lights and Decorations

Do you love putting up lights for the holidays? Whether you decorate for Christmas, the 4th of July, Halloween, or all of the above, it’s important to make sure that you follow safe practices when you put up your lights. If you don’t install lights properly, you could risk electric shocks, short circuits, and even potential fires. That’s why it’s so important to make sure all of your decorations are up to code to reduce the risks to yourself and your property! Fortunately, you can follow these 6 tips to safely put up holiday lights.

Check Your Equipment

To avoid serious safety risks, make sure your favorite holiday lights and decorations aren’t cracked or frayed. Check for loose connections and stripped wires before you test out your lights for the season. If you do notice any damage, you might be able to use electrical tape to protect against shock. Be mindful about how you store your decorations, as well; if you want to make sure your decorations last as long as possible, store them in their protective packaging.

Don’t Overload Your Outlets

When you put up holiday lights, there are a lot of plugs involved, and it can be tempting to not only use all available outlets but also to overload extension cords. You need to make sure you don’t overdo it by adding too many lights onto your setup, though. Overloading your outlets can cause major safety risks if your electrical system can’t handle such high power demands. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully when you put up any holiday lighting sets or other decorations.

Use GFCI Protected Outlets

Before you start installing lights on your Christmas tree or putting up electronic holiday decorations, it’s important to make sure that you are using GFCI outlets for proper protection. Ideally, you should schedule an electrical inspection with a professional to make sure that your home is up to code. A trained electrician will be able to help you install GFCI outlets and make sure your home’s electrical system can handle your holiday lights.

Fasten Your Decorations Carefully

When securing outdoor decorations and lights, it is important to remember that your outdoor lights may be exposed to heavy winds, rain, and snow. To ensure the best results, it’s best to use small, insulated staples or hooks to fasten your holiday lights. Make sure that you avoid uninsulated variants, which can damage the wiring and raise the risk of electrocution or electrical fires. It’s also important to keep your lights and electrical holiday decorations away from flammable materials, including cigarettes. The safest and easiest way to ensure great results for your holiday lights is to choose a certified electrician who can handle the installation for you

Keep Cords Uncovered

The cables and cords that run through your home are essential for providing power, but they can also become a fire hazard if they overheat. Carpets, furniture, blankets, and other items should never be laid on top of cords because covered cords can quickly overheat and cause a fire. Always remember that covering cords can trap heat inside, so it is best to leave all electrical cords uncovered.

Check out this article for some additional Electrical ideas!

Ten Tips for Safe Holiday Decorating

Seasonal decorations, including lights, trees and wreaths, can help put your household in the holiday spirit. However, when not used properly, decorations–particularly lights–can create safety hazards or cause fires.

Keep your family safe during the holidays. Prior to use, read the manufacturer’s instructions for each item to understand how to use it properly. In addition, follow these best practices to ensure your holiday lights and decorations are installed correctly:

• Double check lights for frayed wires or cracks, and be sure there is a bulb in each socket. Discard and replace damaged strands.
• When decorating outside, keep ladders and decorations away from overhead power lines. Ensure the ladder is securely placed on the ground before climbing.
• Lights should be approved by Underwriters Laboratory. "UL" will be clearly displayed on the tag, signifying the product has been inspected for potential safety hazards. Red UL marks indicate the lights are safe for indoor/outdoor use, and green UL marks indicate the lights are only safe for indoor use.
• Do not hammer tacks or nails into the electrical cord when hanging lights. Instead, use clips to safely attach lights to the house.
• Use heavy-duty extension cords, and only use cords outdoors if they are designated for outdoor use. Avoid overloading extension cords by using no more than three sets of standard lights per cord.
• Outdoor lights and inflatable decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). GFCIs help prevent electric shock by breaking the circuit when differences in the currents of hot and neutral wires occur.
• Use a timer or turn off lights before going to bed, or if you will be away from home.
• For special ornaments that plug into a bulb receptacle, use no more than two per strand, or check the manufacturer's directions.
• Indoor lights should not touch drapes, furniture or carpeting. Keep lit candles away from flammable items, too.
• Prevent tripping by placing cords and decorations in low-traffic areas where they won’t be walked on. Avoid twisting, kinking or crushing cords.

Here https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/safety/using-electricity/holiday-decorating.html

from Eric Symmonds Electrician https://ift.tt/qwpG3Uj