Christmas Light Safety

Christmas light safety is important while decorating for the holidays. Here are some Christmas light safety tips to keep in mind when using electricity for holiday decorating.

Safety Tips

1. For Christmas light safety, use only Christmas lights that are approved for use in Canada. The BC Safety Authority website has a bulletin that lists the testing and approval agencies that are accepted in BC for all electrical equipment and products. Knock-off products are making their way into some stores, so purchase carefully.

2. Cords may become frayed or cracked and using damaged cords is a fire hazard. For Christmas light safety, always inspect for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. Discard damaged light sets as they can cause shocks or start a fire.

3. Make sure to replace burned out light bulbs with the correct wattage for the light cord. Incorrect bulbs can create overheating and cause a fire.

4. You may have several decorations that require electricity. Be sure you are not overloading the outlets or extension cords as this may cause overheating. When using extension cords, plan the placement of the cords to avoid tripping hazards. Make sure the cords are not pinched in doors, windows or under furniture.

5. When decorating outdoors, make sure to use only outdoor-rated extension cords. Only cords designed for wet winter conditions. Always make sure to plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet.

6. Avoid the use of nails, tacks or metal staples for hanging your lights as these may cause damage to the cords. Using plastic or insulated holders will protect the cords from damage.

7. Connecting the cords to a digital timer would be a great way to control the lights.  Programmed lights can turn on and off at various times during the day and week.

8. To save on energy consumption, consider replacing your old-style light strings with energy efficient LED lights.

9. Be sure to turn off all Christmas lights before leaving the home or retiring for the night.

10. Never pull on a string of lights as this can result in stressed or frayed wires. Always remove the strings carefully and store them loosely coiled. Being mindful of Christmas light safety means you can have the pleasure of doing it all again next year.