Holiday Fire Safety Requires Proper Use of Christmas Lights

1. Holiday Fire Safety Requires Proper Use of Christmas Lights Christmas lights and house decorations are a part of the Christmas holiday. But because of the long strings of lights, it can be a dangerous place for children. Therefore, safety must always be emphasized when using Christmas lights since they have the potential to cause fires. Fire safety is important during the holidays as well. It's important to use holiday lights in your house incorrectly and not because of any electrical issues or faulty wiring, but in order to avoid fires. In fact, even though they are festive and fun to see, they are quite dangerous if used incorrectly.

2. Inspect electrical and battery-operated lights before use and discard any that are damaged. During the holidays, frayed or cracked electrical cords and broken sockets are major fire hazards. Inspect extension cords before plugging them in to ensure they are in good working order. Consider whether they are rated for indoor or outdoor use. Never connect multiple extension cords. Follow packaging directions for decorative light strings Typically, lights are labeled for either indoor or outdoor use, but not both. String no more sets of lights than the product's instructions specify. Use UL-rated clips or hangers to hang lights outside Nails or staples can cause wiring damage and increase the risk of fire. Also, avoid pinching or bending electrical cords, forcing them into small spaces, or putting them in places where they could be stepped on or tripped over. Never (ever!) overload a circuit The average household circuit can power between 300 and 600 strings of LED lights or 70 strings of 50-bulb mini lights. To avoid an overload, spread the light strands across multiple circuits if you need to use more. Before connecting lights to the same circuit, consider any major appliances. Learn how to calculate the number of lights that can be safely plugged into an average home circuit by clicking here.

3. Turn off all other lights and decorations before going to bed Installing a timer on outside lights eliminates the possibility that they will remain on all night because you fell asleep or did not want to brave the cold before bed. Use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in places where water and electricity can potentially mix causing a dangerous reaction. GFCIs monitor the electrical current flowing through them and shut down automatically if the current becomes unbalanced, as when water enters a system. If your outlet has a "test" and "reset" button, it is a GFCI. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays Squirrels can chew on lights and weather can damage them. Taking them down not only helps to avoid hazards, but it also helps to extend the life of the lights. Final Word Follow the buddy system this holiday. When hanging lights, avoid using nails or staples to attach strings to the structure. Do not overload extension cords. If a light string does not have a safety plug to protect against overheating and fire, replace it with another that does. Holiday decorations are meant to bring people together, and by sharing this information you’re creating a safer holiday for everyone to enjoy.