Electrical Safety Tips for Holiday Lights and Decorations

Tips for Choosing the Right Holiday Lights

Before you hang a single strand, make sure you’re starting with the safest products possible.

Check for Safety Labels

Always choose lights and decorations that have been tested and certified by a recognized safety organization such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL. These labels confirm that the product has met essential safety standards and is less likely to malfunction.

Use Indoor and Outdoor Lights Correctly

Indoor lights are not designed to handle weather conditions like rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. Using them outside can lead to electrical shorts or shock hazards.

Likewise, outdoor lights may run hotter and pose risks when used indoors. Always check the packaging to make sure your lights are suitable for where you plan to use them.

Avoid Using Damaged Lights

Frayed wires, cracked bulbs, loose connections, and worn insulation are all signs that your Christmas lights need to be replaced. Never try to repair holiday lights with electrical tape or makeshift fixes, as the risk of sparking or overheating simply isn’t worth it.

Choose LED Lights for Added Efficiency and Safety

Switching to LED holiday lights is one of the simplest ways to enhance both safety and affordability during the season. Because LEDs produce far less heat, they significantly lower the risk of fire hazards. They’re especially ideal for Christmas trees, garlands, and decorations made of artificial or natural greenery.

Additionally, LED lights use up to 80% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs. This means you’ll reduce the load on your circuits and keep your energy bill more manageable.

Best Practices for Safely Installing Holiday Lights

Once you know your lights are safe to use, the way you install them can make all the difference.

Don’t Overload Outlets

It’s tempting to plug multiple light strands and decorations into a single outlet, especially if you’re decorating a large space. But overloading a circuit can cause excessive heat buildup, trip breakers, or even start a fire. When in doubt, use multiple outlets on different circuits or consider investing in new outlet installations to add electrical outlets where they are needed most.

Use Heavy-Duty Extension Cords

If you need an extension cord, pick one rated for the intended location. Outdoor extension cords should be weather-resistant and clearly marked for exterior use.

Just remember that extension cords are meant for temporary setups only. You should never run them through walls, under carpets, or across high-traffic areas, and you should not plug multiple power strips or extension cords into each other (known as daisy-chaining).

Secure Cords to Prevent Tripping Hazards

Keep cords close to walls when possible and secure them with cord clips, hooks, or cable protectors. Additionally, make sure walkways are free of clutter to prevent accidental trips and falls, especially when you’re expecting holiday guests.

Use Proper Hanging Tools

Metal nails or staples can pierce the protective coating on light strings and cause shorts. Instead, use plastic hooks, insulated clips, or gutter hangers that are designed specifically for holiday lights.

Tips for Protecting Your Electrical System During the Holidays

Your home’s electrical system works hard during the holidays. A few preventive steps can reduce the risk of outages or costly damage.

Use GFCI Outlets Outdoors

Any exterior lighting or electrically powered decorations should be plugged into ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. These outlets automatically shut off power when they detect an electrical imbalance to reduce the risk of shocks.

Keep Electrical Components Dry

Snow, rain, and moisture can lead to corrosion or create shock hazards. So, keep outdoor connections off the ground and covered with weather-resistant outlet protectors. Also, make sure your extension cords aren’t sitting in puddles or pinched in doors or windows.

Be Mindful of Heat Sources

Holiday lights, especially older incandescent styles, can generate heat. So, keep them away from curtains, fabric decorations, paper ornaments, and anything else that could catch fire.

Turn Lights Off When You’re Out or Asleep

Never leave your holiday lights on when you leave the house or go to bed. This is when most fires happen, as there’s no one there to notice smoke or flames.

The best solution? Use a timer. You can get indoor or outdoor-rated timers that will automatically turn your wonderland on at dusk and off at bedtime.

Safety Tips for Holiday Decorations Beyond Lights

String lights are not the only potential hazard to your home’s electrical system. Many popular decorations require power, too, and if handled improperly, could lead to life-threatening disasters.

Inflatables and Motorized Displays

Outdoor inflatables should always be staked securely to prevent tipping or dragging across wet grass. Make sure their cords are weather-rated, and don’t leave them running when you’re not home.

Electric Window Candles and Figurines

Check the integrity of cords and avoid placing items with exposed bulbs near fabrics, paper, or holiday greenery.

Keep Your Holidays Bright and Safe

If you’re getting ready to put up holiday lights and electrically powered decorations, it’s important to make sure your home’s electrical system is up to handling them. Our electricians in Harrisburg, PA, can evaluate your system to ensure everything is operating safely and then perform any necessary electrical repairs, wiring updates, and outlet replacements to help your home support all your favorite holiday decorations without putting your family at risk. We can also upgrade your old fuse box to a modern electrical panel> or install a whole-home surge protection system for greater peace of mind.

Contact Handyside Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical today and get your home ready for a safe, bright, and joyful holiday season!