We’re approaching that time of year when we dust off all our decorations and start getting festive in anticipation of the holiday season. Decorating can be a fun activity, but it can also be dangerous and inefficient if you’re using old or broken decorations or unsafe decorating techniques. Let’s discuss some of the ways that you can optimize the efficiency of your holiday lighting setup and keep your home and others safe.
Upgrade the Type of Lights You Have
If you’re shopping for new holiday decorations, you’ll notice that a lot of items now utilize LED lights. This new development boasts high efficiency and safety. If you touch the exterior of an LED bulb, you’ll find that the surface is much cooler than an older version. This is ideal if you have kids who will be near your decorations. LED lights also use less energy, reducing your carbon footprint as well as your utility bills while still providing a bright and beautiful display.
Inspecting Your Lights and Decorations
Before you hang any lights or install any decorations, make sure you inspect everything. The biggest thing you want to watch out for is any broken or damaged wires that may compromise the safety of your holiday display. We recommend plugging your lights and decorations in for several minutes before proceeding. Make sure all your lights remain lit and that nothing appears to be shorting out. If there is any question regarding the integrity of your holiday lights, throw them out and replace them.
Looking for Safety Guidelines and Standards
There are several safety guidelines that are followed by reputable manufacturers that ensure products are safe from an electrical standpoint. One label you should look for is the Underwriter’s Laboratories Label (UL). This globally recognized label indicates that a specific product was made taking into consideration a series of rigorous safety standards. This is an accreditation that considers several safety concepts, including electricity.
If you’re inheriting old holiday items from family members or friends, make sure they’re in good condition. Strands of lights that are decades old should probably be discarded due to safety concerns.
Placement of Your Decorations and Lights
Be careful where you’re putting your lights and decorations. Bulbs should be kept off the ground even if they are rated for outdoor use. Try not to rest bulbs directly on branches and leaves. You can invest in different tools for hanging your lights, such as plastic clips that hook onto your gutters and eaves.
Avoid putting decorations directly on sidewalks, driveways, or walkways. It’s best to settle these items within your landscaping, where they won’t be inadvertently bumped into or moved.
You also want to make sure that your lights and decorations are secure. If inclement weather comes through the area, your holiday display can quickly become a hazard.
Power Requirements
You may want to light up your house like a Christmas tree to spread holiday cheer. At the same time, you don’t want to overload outlets. Make sure you’re not plugging too many items into extension cords and timers.
Timing Your Decorations
To boost the efficiency of your holiday display, only run your decorations for a specific period each evening. You can make this process easy by investing in a timer that plugs right into the outdoor outlet you’re using for your display. There are also smart timers available that allow you to control your decorations using your smart device. Don’t run your lights all night long or when you’re away from home.
Choosing Appropriate Lighting
You’ll notice that holiday lights and decorations usually indicate whether they were made for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure you’re not using indoor lights outside, as this can pose a risk of electrocution or fire. Your lights are more likely to short out and break if they are intended for indoor use and are then exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations outside. Using outdoor lights inside may be safe for the most part, but this might not be your most efficient option.
Inspecting and Using Extension Cords Properly
Extension cords are a great way to expand your holiday display to different parts of your yard that don’t provide access to an outlet. Make sure that you’re inspecting your extension cords prior to placing them outdoors. Only use cords that are designed specifically for the location where they will be. Don’t lay them in areas that see a lot of moisture. Ensure that you’re not plugging too many items into your extension cords.
It’s also important that you pay close attention to where your cords are located. Don’t put them in places where people will easily trip over them or cause them to become damaged.
Safety First
Take appropriate safety measures when you’re setting up your holiday display. It’s beneficial to have someone help you even if they’re just holding your ladder or handing you items. An extra set of eyes can be helpful when it comes to spotting cord damage or other issues.
To avoid issues, you should plug your lights or decorations in, working your way out from that spot. Don’t use any fasteners that could damage your wires or plugs. Opt for hangers that are specifically designed for holiday lighting use.
Decorating Your Home’s Interior
While there seem to be a lot more safety risks involved with decorating the exterior of your home, there are also things to consider about the interior as well. Make sure you’re not putting too many decorations in one area of the home. This can overload your outlets, causing electrical problems throughout the residence.
This is another area where you should be careful about where you’re putting extension cords. Don’t have them draped across areas of high traffic. Never hide them under rugs.
Try to avoid any decorations that can cause a fire. A holiday candle can smell nice, but it’s easy to forget about it when there’s so many other things going on during this time of the year.
Consider using smart devices to control and monitor your decorations. Some of these devices will report information to you regarding energy usage, malfunctions, and run time.
If you are worried that your home doesn’t provide enough power for you to run all your holiday lights and decorations, reach out to someone from our team for assistance. We can inspect your outlets and breaker panel and make suggestions. We can even make expansions to your current electrical setup.
Reach out to our team here at Spark Daddy in the Ballwin, Pacific, and Greater St. Louis, MO areas. Our electrical services include circuit breaker solutions, inspections, breaker panel modifications, lighting installation, EV charging, voice and data, whole-house rewiring, and much more. Look to us for generator services, too. We would be happy to help you safely and efficiently get ready for the upcoming holiday season. Contact Spark Daddy today to schedule an appointment.
