Christmas Lighting Dos and Don’ts

November 8, 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Almost. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and Christmas is right on its heels. If you enjoy celebrating the holiday season as much as we do, you’re probably already brainstorming ideas for your Christmas lights display.

As licensed and professional electricians, our team at  Buzz Electrical feels a responsibility to educate our customers on safe practices for decorating with Christmas lights. Here are some Christmas lighting dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you deck the halls this year.

Christmas Lighting Dos:

• Inspect your cords for wear and tear.

Make sure your lights and extension cords are not frayed or torn and that no wires are exposed. If you find that your old favorites are starting to deteriorate, it is time to invest in some new lights and equipment.

• Purchase supplies designed for outdoor use.

Make sure all of the lights and magic in your winter wonderland are rated for outdoor use. This means they can safely handle the moisture and precipitation that comes with the winter season. This includes your lights, extension cords, power strips, timers, and any other decorations that use electricity.

• Choose LED bulbs to save energy and money.

Have you noticed how your electric bill tends to skyrocket during December from Christmas light use? LED bulbs can help with that problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use just 25-30% of the energy that regular incandescent bulbs do. They also last 8-25 times longer. In addition, LEDs don’t emit any heat and thrive in cold temperatures. Reduce your carbon footprint and your utility bill by switching.

• Turn off the lights when you go to bed.

This prevents electrical fire hazards and saves you money.

Christmas Lighting Don’ts:

• Use lights or supplies that are damaged.

Using old damaged decorations is a fire hazard. Keep your holidays happy and don’t risk it.

• Replace bulbs while strands are plugged in.

If you notice some of your light strands have bulbs that need replacing, make sure you turn off and completely unplug them beforehand.

• Hang up decorations without assistance or supervision.

If you plan to stand on a ladder or a roof, make sure someone is outside with you. A buddy can help hold on to your ladder to keep it steady or call for help if there is an accident.

• Daisy chain too many light strands together.

Plugging in too many light strands in a row can overload a circuit. Use a power string with surge protection and try not to plug in more than three strands in a row.

We hope these Christmas lighting dos and don’ts help you decorate safely this season.

Keep these Christmas lighting dos and don’ts in mind and ensure a jolly holiday! If you need any electrical upgrades just in time for Christmas, give us a call at Buzz Electrical. If you have the coolest Christmas light display on the block, feel free to share a photo with us on Facebook.

Family owned and operated Buzz Electrical is Fayetteville’s leading electrical company! If you want to add some electrical upgrades to your Arkansas home just in time for the holiday season, we are here to help. Give us a call at (479) 267-2899.