How to Be Electrically Safe This Holiday Season

It is that time of year again! Up in the attic we go, digging out boxes and bags of holiday ornaments and lights, many of which you probably have had for decades. Yep, it is time to decorate for the holidays! It is a time of year when the heart grows large and so does your electric bill, thanks to all of those lights! But, as it sometimes turns out, not everyone practices good electrical safety during the holidays. And in the worst possible scenarios, they can be victims of a ho-ho-horrible accident. Here is how to have an electrically safe holiday season.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electrical tape
• Replacement light bulbs
• New strings of lights
• Quality surge protector

1. For the first few steps, we will focus on electrical safety on the inside of the home, most notably the Christmas tree. The tree should first and foremost be kept away from the furnace vent. It should also be well-watered to help prevent it from drying out. A dry tree covered in warming lights is not a good combination.

2. Next, before you begin placing the lights on the tree, do a thorough inspection of the strands of lights. Look for any broken or missing bulbs. If you find any, replace them immediately. Also look for any loose wires at the base of the sockets and inspect the overall wiring for any breaks or nicks.
   
   If the string of lights is over two years old, it may be time to replace them anyway, as Christmas lights are not made to be used for more than two years.

3. Only use strings of lights which are UL-Listed. There will be an indicator on the package and on the tag on the string of lights labeling them as UL-Listed. If you do not see it listed, do not purchase or use the lights.

4. Be careful not to connect too many strings of lights together. Powering five strings of lights from one outlet is never a good idea. Split it up to even out the distribution. Using a surge protector will not only provide you more outlets, but it will also protect your wiring. Plus, avoid running extension cords near furniture or under rugs.

5. If you have a metal Christmas tree, do not place stringed lights on it. Instead, use colored spot lights to accent and highlight the tree.

6. When decorating outside, you are going to want to make sure all of the lights are in good shape, just like you did on the interior lights. You will also want to keep connections up off of the ground and securely wrapped in electrical tape to prevent rain or snow from getting into the connections.

7. If you have to fasten your outdoor lights to a tree or other surface, use only insulated staples or plastic hooks or supports. Do not use nails, metal staples or any other metal fastenings. You should only use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use and they should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet.

8. Most importantly, just use common sense. Electricity never fares well with either water or metal so avoid your decorations from coming into contact with them. Plus, if a string of lights looks suspicious, throw it out and pick up a new set. They are always on sale, and it is just not worth taking the chance.

9. Just follow these few tips for keeping your holiday decorating electrically sound, and you will be able to enjoy your twinkling lights and colorful tree in peace and harmony.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use the same string of lights for more than 3 years
• Do not plug too many strings of lights in one outlet
• Avoid using metal fasteners to secure your lights to the house
• If a bulb is out on the string of lights, leave it in until you get a replacement