Holiday light dangers you need to know
Don’t Use Electric Lights on a Metal Tree
Electrical shock and fire are risks with this combination.
Don’t Leave Lights on Overnight or While Gone From Home
Unplug tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed. If you have these holiday decorations,
Be Aware of Fire Hazards
Keep the tree at least 3 ft. from candles and fireplaces.
Verify Proper Rating
Be skeptical of discount Christmas lights and make sure they have an Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) logo on them or an Intertek (ETL Semko) logo.
Check for Fraying
A lot of things can happen in a year when you store your Christmas lights. Depending upon where you store your Christmas decorations, you could encounter some damage to your lights.
Use Indoor Lights Indoors and Outdoor Lights Outside
It seems pretty obvious but people sometimes think they’re interchangeable. They’re not. Lights designed for outdoor use are made to withstand cold and wet conditions. Indoor lights are safety tested so they’re not a fire hazard for trees.
Never Use Staples, Tacks or Nails to Hang Lights
Staples, tacks and nails can pierce Christmas light strands and create a potential electrical shock. It’s best to use insulated holders designed to hang Christmas lights.
Extension Cords
Make sure they’re in good shape and don’t overload them. Place them in a place where they won’t be a tripping hazard and they won’t topple your Christmas tree and decorations.
Bulb Replacement
It’s dangerous to plug in a strand of Christmas lights with an empty socket, so it’s important to test your Christmas lights with a bulb tester.
Know How Many Strands You Can Connect
The rule of thumb is that you can only string three strands of lights together safely. Any more than that and we’ve created a potentially dangerous electrical situation.
Keep Your Tree Hydrated
Dry trees burn quickly so you need to keep it watered.
Use GFCI Outlets for Outdoor Lights
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) reduce the danger of deadly shock from faulty plug-in cords and devices. It will detect dangerous ground faults and immediately turn off power.
Don’t Run Lights Through Windows or Doors
It should go without saying but you shouldn’t run lights through doors and windows because the cord can become damaged, creating a dangerous electrical situation.
For all your electrical needs give ARK Electric a call 303 656 3689
