Electrical Safety Tips for Your Festive Holiday Decorations
The holiday season brings out the creative flair in most of us as we drape our homes with decorations and lights to brighten up the season. But as you string lights and other electronic decorations outside and in, keep in mind basic safety. Faulty electronics can be a fire hazard and also carry a risk of shock and even electrocution.
This can be especially true when stringing lights on natural Christmas trees and other areas of the home. We at Eric Krise Electrical Contractors want you to have a safe and happy holiday season, so here are decorating safety tips to keep in mind, as compiled by cableorganizer.com.
Decorations and Lights
You either love or hate to shop for decorations—and it can be easy to overlook the safety of the items that you purchase with the crowds and crying kids around the store. But just be sure—all electrical products should be CSA or UL certified to assure safety for your home.
And if you plan to decorate the outside of your house, just be sure your electrical equipment is made for outdoor use. Exposure to the elements for inside-only products can result in fire or electrical shock.
Unsure if all your holiday lights are for indoor or outdoor use? Check out the product’s packaging for the color-coded UL seal. An iridescent green label is for indoor use only, while the red iridescent seal denotes use for indoors or out.
Always inspect your lights after pulling them out of storage. Broken bulbs, exposed wires, and months of dust can all lead up to trouble. And if you’re replacing a bulb, just make sure it isn’t plugged in! Check the wattage of your replacement before you repair. You definitely don’t want it to overheat.
Extension Cords
Depending on whether you choose to use incandescent or LEDs, consider the maximum number of lights you can safely string together and be aware of the wattage rating for your extension cords. This rating measures the amount of electricity your cord is made to maintain. If the power requirement of an electrical product exceeds the maximum for your extension cord, a fire can be likely.
It may seem redundant, but always follow the instructions on the packaging label for all electrical items. It can be easy to assume a plug and socket are safely co-dependent. And to be even safer, make sure all lights are off when you go to bed or to work—peace of mind is priceless!
If you’re looking forward to decorating your house with festive lights of the season, give us your first call. We’ll be happy to come out and ensure that your outdoor lighting sockets are in tip-top shape! You can reach Eric Krise Electric at 856.769.3932 or online. And Happy Holidays to you and yours.