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Our Holiday Electrical Safety Tips

  • Blue Collar Electricians
  • November 17, 2020

Follow This Advice To Decorate Safely

Many homeowners enjoy decorating their homes, both inside and outside, to celebrate the winter holidays. While we don’t want to scare you, we do want to remind you of some important holiday electrical safety tips. Even if you have heard these tips before, it is good to refresh your memory before you pull those decoration bins out of storage!

1. Use battery-operated candles instead of real ones.

According to the National Fire Protection Association in 2019, more than a third of home decoration fires are started by candles. We understand the appeal of a real candle, but it is risky to leave anything burning unattended—even a small holiday candle. Stay safe and reduce your risk by using battery-operated candles.

2. Inspect your holiday lights with care.

Most of us keep our holiday lights in storage for the better part of the year. Sometimes the lights can be exposed to the elements or potential pests in our garage or attic. Before you hang any indoor or outdoor lights, check for frayed cords or other signs of damage. Get rid of any damaged lights.

3. Use lights according to their label.

This might seem obvious, but there are two different types of holiday string lights—indoor and outdoor. Outdoor lights are made to withstand the elements like rain, snow, and cold temperatures; indoor lights are not. Never use indoor lights outside where they will be easily damaged.

4. Do not string too many lights together.

Follow guidelines on the box of lights regarding how many strands can safely be connected. Keep in mind that with LED lights, the limit is much larger. Otherwise, too many strands of lights strung together into one outlet can lead to overheating and potential sparks.

5. Turn off your decorations before bed.

Consider using a timer control when your outdoor and indoor decorations are illuminated. If you turn off your decorations during the night, you’ll save on electric expenses and keep your home safe from potential fire risks while you sleep.

Do you need more tips or have specific electrical-related questions about your holiday decorations? Just let us know and we’ll be happy to provide more guidance. Blue Collar Electricians wants you to have a happy and safe winter holiday season.