Devise a plan for festive holiday lights, check. Unearth the box of tangled string lights from the closet, check. Test outdoor outlet GFCI to ensure it’s working. Wait, what?
Before you deck the halls, be sure to check out these holiday lighting safety tips!
Save energy by setting a timer for outdoor lighting and decorations. Program the timer so the lights turn on in the evening and turn off later at night.
To prevent fraying and electrical shorts, use insulated holders to keep cords in place. Do not use nails, metal hooks or tacks. You should also be careful to avoid tugging at cords or stretching them.
Unlike older light strands, LED lights give off virtually no heat, making them safer for kids and pets (and reindeer).
All outdoor electrical decorations should be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). You can buy portable units for outdoor use or have them permanently installed by an electrician.
