Merry, Bright, and Safe: Holiday Lighting Safety Tips
It’s time to brighten those dark winter nights with sparkling holiday lights!
Before you dig that box of lights out of the garage and grab your ladder, keep these tips in mind to ensure you’re decking the halls safely.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Lighting: Avoid Safety Issues by Checking Your Supplies.
Check the label on your lights to determine whether they are intended for indoor or outdoor use.
Look for the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Listed Mark.
This means that UL Solutions engineers have evaluated and tested product samples for risk of fire, electric shock, and other hazards that could result from manufacturing issues or unforeseen consumer misuse.
A red holographic UL label means the lights are certified for outdoor use.
A green holographic UL label means they are only suited for indoor.
Check your extension cords and use only outdoor-designated cords for your outdoor lights.
For outdoor lighting, only plug your lights into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
On those snowy or rainy days, GFCI outlets will cut power if the electricity comes in contact with water.
If you don’t have a GFCI outlet, call NLE, and we’ll send a licensed electrician to install a permanent one.
You can also purchase portable GFCI outlets if your winter wonderland is on a tighter budget.
Don’t overload your outlets.
Too many string lights in one outlet can cause your circuit to blow.
Need more outlets? Don’t attempt to plug all your lights and extension cords into the same outlets—call NLE, and we’ll install as many outlets as you need to make your holiday light dreams a reality!
Avoid extension cords and power strips if possible.
Extension cords and power strips have electrical load limits.
Plug your lights directly into wall outlets whenever possible.
If you find yourself creating rows of power strips, it’s time to add more outlets to fit your needs.
Add an outlet operated by a programmable timer.
Remembering to turn your lights on and off is a chore. Add a timer that will do the work for you.
If you find yourself without an outlet to spare, NLE can install a brand-new outlet for you to use for your timed lights.
The timer attachment can be removed after the holidays, leaving you with a functional outlet year-round.
Keeping your lights on a schedule will ensure that your lights aren’t left on and unattended in case of an electrical issue that could result in fire.
It will also help you regulate energy use, saving you money on your electricity bill!
Call NLE and shine brighter this holiday season!
We want to ensure that your holiday season is fun, festive, and safe.
Call NLE, and we’ll set you up with everything you need to make your home shine!