During the months of November and December, U.S. If circuits are not GFCI-protected, portable outdoor GFCIs can be purchased at most local hardware stores.ĭuring the holiday season, emergency rooms nationwide are flooded with victims of holiday decor gone wrong. Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Your decor’s power needs should match the amperage rating on the extension cord packaging or label.Īvoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices, which can spark a fire. Never plug cords into one another, make sure that cords are rated for their intended use, and keep them clear of snow and standing water. When decking the halls for the holidays, there are more important things to worry about than hiding gawky extension cords from view. are caused by faulty extension cords each year, resulting in 50 deaths and 270 injuries, according the CPSC. Oh, and if replacing bulbs or fuses, always unplug first!ģ,300 residential fires in the U.S. To give mother earth and your electricity bill a bigger break, install an outdoor timer to automatically turn your lights on and off. Additionally, they last 25 times longer and use at least 75 percent less energy than their incandescent counterparts, according to the U.S. LED lights are made with epoxy lenses, not glass, and are much more durable. If hanging lights or other electric decor, make sure the ladder is fiberglass or wooden, as metal ladders conduct electricity! Also check the ladder’s height–if you’re tiptoeing from the top rung to reach your roof, you’re in danger! To be safe, your ladder should extend at least three feet past the edge of your roof.Īcross the U.S., holiday lights are to blame for 160 home structure fires each year and $9 million in direct property damage, according to ESFI.ĭid you know that incandescent bulbs generate most of their energy in heat? Newer, more modern LED lights are much cooler to the touch. Inspect ladders for loose or missing screws, hinges, bolts, or nuts before using. Throw out and replace damaged sets.Ĥ1% of holiday decorating injuries involve falls, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Check new and old light strings and decor for things like frayed wires, damaged insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and loose connections. Hot lights resting on dry leaves can create a fire hazard. For instance, clean dried leaves out of gutters before hanging that first string of lights. Take proper steps to ensure your home is ready for the holiday glitz. Take extra caution when decorating this season so you can continue to do so for years to come. For many, the allure of draping a home in bright, twinkling bulbs and adorning the yard with giant blow-up reindeer is irresistible but when it comes to holiday decorating, stockings aren’t the only things that should be hung with care.

| Photo credit: Adobe StockĪre you putting lights or other decor on your house for the holidays? More than 86% of Americans decorate their homes as part of their winter holiday celebrations, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, or ESFI. Across the U.S., holiday lights are to blame for 160 home structure fires each year and $9 million in direct property damage, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Holiday outdoor decor