Holiday Lights: Your Guide to Decorating Safely

Holiday lights add warmth and sparkle to the season, but damaged cords, overloaded outlets and improper installation can create electrical and fire hazards. Follow these holiday lighting safety tips to help keep your home and family safe.

Hang lights safely

• Choose lights that are safety certified by a recognized testing laboratory such as UL.
• Inspect light strands for frayed cords, broken sockets or damaged plugs.
• Use only outdoor-rated lights outside.
• Secure lights with plastic clips or hooks, not nails or staples.
• Plug outdoor lights into ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected outlets. If needed, use a portable GFCI.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.

Use holiday lights safely

• Do not overload electrical outlets or extension cords.
• Connect only the number of light strands recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep electrical cords out of walkways. Do not run cords through doorways or under rugs or carpets.
• Turn off holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Store decorations with care

• As you take down lights, check for broken bulbs, damaged sockets and frayed cords.
• Wipe lights with a dry cloth and let them dry completely before storing them.
• Store extension cords with your decorations. They are intended for temporary use and shouldn’t be used year-round.
• Store electronic decorations in a cool, dry place. Excessive heat and humidity can shorten their life.

Author:
Erin Hollinshead
Executive Director of Safe Electricity