8 Tips for an Electricity-Smart & Safe Holiday Season

There’s nothing like the twinkling of Christmas lights, or walking through the snow on a wintry evening and seeing those Christmas trees all aglow in people’s homes.

With the Christmas season in full effect, families are busy decorating their homes to make them festive and bright. All those lights mean more electricity, and an increase in hazards if you’re not careful — so here are a few tips to help keep your holiday season colorful and safe.

Tip 1: Use the Right Lights & Cords Outdoors

Make sure you keep your indoor lights and extension cords indoors! Use only proper outdoor cords and lights for decorating outside. Look for high-quality supplies rated for extreme conditions. Outdoor supplies are designed to handle the weather and harsher conditions, whereas indoor-specific lights are not.

Tip 2: Inspect Before You Hang

Take a good look at the electrical decorations and supplies you plan on using. Hanging them up and taking them down each year, plus time spent bunched up in storage, will affect the condition of your lights. Look for any frayed wires, broken or punctured casings, loose connections, broken bulbs, and more. Don’t use damaged lights and cords. Test and inspect everything before putting it up.

Tip 3: Hang Lights Safely

When hanging your lights, make sure they are not resting on anything easily flammable, such as paper decorations or curtains. Hooks are better to use than anything sharp that can puncture wires, like staples or nails. Any puncture can be a potential hazard.

Tip 4: Don’t Overload Circuits

Be careful not to overload your plugs and circuits by stringing too many lights together or by using multiple adapters or power bars on the same circuit. Be aware of how much your circuits can handle and how much power you are drawing through them. If you are unsure, consult a professional.

Tip 5: Care for Your Real Tree

If you cut down a tree (rather than using an artificial one), make sure you take care of it by checking that it has enough water — trees need more water earlier after being cut than they will later on — and ensure that the tree is not close to any heat sources.

Tip 6: Don’t Overload Your Tree With Lights

More lights will lead to more heat, which can be dangerous. Also, don’t let your kids or cats (or other curious creatures) play with your lights or your tree.

Tip 7: Switch to LED Lights

If you haven’t yet, switch over to LED lights to help keep your costs and power consumption down, as well as to reduce the risk of power overloads and overheating.

Tip 8: Take Down Outdoor Lights After the Season

When the season draws to a close, make sure you take down your outdoor Christmas lights and extension cords. They aren’t designed to be outside all year long. Taking them down will help prolong the life of your lights and protect your property from potential damage.