Keep Your Holidays Safe With These Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

Putting on a beautiful holiday light display is one of the joys of the holiday season. However, hanging and removing holiday lights can be dangerous if not done properly. To help you stay safe this holiday season, the folks at Through The Garden have put together a few holiday lighting safety tips.

Do a Holiday Light Inventory

The first step to safely hanging your holiday lights is to get yours out of storage and do a quick inventory. Inspect the lights that you have for vulnerabilities and damage, replace any that you find. It’s also a good idea to keep your holiday lights up to date. If you find any strands of holiday lights that are more than five years old, get rid of them and upgrade to newer lights. Not only are newer lights safer, but they’re also more efficient and more beautiful.

Use Holiday Lights That Have Been Tested for Safety

The most important thing to consider when purchasing holiday lights is safety. You should only ever buy holiday lights that have been put through safety tests and are rated by the Underwriter’s Laboratory. Just look for the large “UL” on the new holiday lights as this tells you that the lights have passed all of the necessary safety tests.

Choosing Indoor and Outdoor Holiday Lights

One of the most important holiday lighting safety tips is to make sure you are using the appropriate lights for your decorations. Never use indoor lights outside. For outdoor decorating, the only lights you should be using are lights that are rated for outdoor use. These lights are built stronger, with heavier wires, better insulation, better sealing, and UV light inhibitors to withstand the glaring sun.

Go LED

When choosing new holiday lights, the best option available right now are LED lights. These energy-efficient lights use 75{ed50c63e7ecb73eb7b014d22332496421ecd8a802e51839972e7f437918fa085} less energy, produce way less heat, and will last you up to 25 times longer than ordinary holiday lights. Not to mention, the colors are vibrant and the lights are beautifully bright. Switching to LED lights is a no-brainer.

Using Clips and Hooks Secure Your Holiday Lights

One of the most common holiday light injuries involves falling from a ladder or a roof while trying to secure the lights. Make sure you always do your holiday decorating with someone else around and always be careful on ladders. To make sure your lights are safely secured, and stay that way, use holiday light clips or hooks. These make it easy to hang and remove your holiday lights throughout the season. Don’t ever use things like tacks, staples, or nails when securing the lights.

Using the Appropriate Extension Cords

After safely hanging your holiday lights, the next step is to get power to them. Using an appropriate extension cord can save you from having a power surge and even an electrical fire. For outdoor decorations, only use an outdoor-rated extension cord. These are better equipped to handle the elements. Always make sure to check the output of your holiday lights and use an extension cord that is strong enough to handle it.

Manage Your Holiday Lights With a Timer

It’s never a good idea to leave holiday lights on, unattended. However, it can be a real pain to have to walk outside every night and unplug the lights before bed. The best way to solve this problem is to manage the holiday lights with a timer. The timer will allow you to set the holiday lights up on a schedule and then let the timer do its thing.

Get Exterior Lighting Solutions From Through The Garden

If you’re looking for exterior lighting solutions for after the holidays, Through The Garden has just the services for you. Let us help you showcase the most beautiful parts of your property while improving the overall aesthetics and safety around your home.

For more information, call us 800-724-9008 or get a free consultation here. For the latest landscaping and lawn care tips and tricks, check out our blog. Follow us on Facebook for our latest holiday news and deals.