Christmas Lights Safety Tips
Whether you’ve had your Christmas lights up since the end of October or anywhere in between until now here are some safety tips that are good to follow whether you’re installing indoor or outdoor holiday lights. ?
? Test Your Lights
Before you start hanging your lights around your home it’s a good idea to plug them in to check for bad bulbs. It’s also important to look for any damage to the wiring which could cause a short circuit.
? Don’t Sacrifice Quality
Oftentimes we find good deals on holiday lights but good deals on lights can sometimes mean the quality won’t be the best. Lower quality lights can be safety hazards so make sure the light has fuses at the plug to protect against overheating.
? Use GFCI Outlets
Lights you have outside your home should be connected to a GFCI outlet. This will help in the event there is a short the GFCI outlet will trip before the breaker.
? Be Mindful of Cord Length
It might seem simple enough to connect your lights to an extension cord however it’s important to keep in mind that you can overload these and a safer option would be to use a power strip. Also it’s important to remember not just for extension cord cables but for any electrical cord to avoid running them under rugs as these can be fire hazards.
? Lights On Your Tree
As extra precaution don’t let the light bulbs on your tree rest on the tree needles. Using a clip or twist-tie can help keep the bulbs upright.
? Maintain Your Tree
If you’ve opted for a real evergreen tree it’s important to make sure the tree is well-watered. Letting the tree dry out can pose a fire risk as the tree needles could light up from a spark.
? Turn off Christmas Lights When Away
Even if you’re certain you’ve been careful when hanging your lights around your home don’t forget to turn off the lights when you’re away from the home or if you’ve gone to sleep. A fire could spark at any moment and it’s best to have someone home and awake in case a problem occurs with any of the lighting.
We hope you found these tips useful and we wish you a happy and safe holiday season.
COVID-19 Response: Sanibel Air & Electric also wants to ensure that everyone remains safe during COVID-19. On our website, you can find steps that we are taking and how you can also help us provide the best services possible for you in these times.
