Keep Your Lights Bright and Your Home Safe this Holiday Season

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, friends, share a wonderful meal together and is often when many people put up their Christmas lights and tree. Something about lights makes the season seem to twinkle just a little bit more.

Did you know that every year 150 home fires start with holiday lights and other decorative lighting and another 260 home fires begin with Christmas trees, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

So, before you get out the ladder and start stringing up your own holiday lights, here are some helpful tips to keep your holiday twinkle from turning into a holiday disaster.

Check the label on your lights to make sure they have been safety tested and approved from an OSHA-certified laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and are appropriate for your intended use outside or inside.

When hanging your lights, use caution on ladders, stay clear of power lines and do not drive nails, staples or tacks through the wiring insulation.

Check previously used lights and extension cords for fraying, broken bulbs, loose connections or any other kind of damage.

Do not overload extension cords or circuits and make sure your outdoor lights are plugged into a GFCI grounding outlet.

Always unplug your lights when you are not home and considering putting your lights on a timer so you don’t forget.

We hope these tips help to keep your holiday safe and bright!