This article on Home Living Handbook might contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link on the site, we may earn a commission.
Holiday lighting makes our homes and neighborhoods shine, but it's important to consider fire safety, energy consumption, and other factors involved with decorating for the winter holidays.
As your decor investment grows, think about how these seasonal accessories may influence your home.
“Decorating your home and yard ahead of the holidays is a great way to get into the spirit of the season," agrees Jen Wilbert, AVP of Property at Travelers Insurance, "but we do see a slight uptick in fire-related homeowners insurance claims around Christmas. It's important to make sure that you’re following home safety best practices while putting up your décor."
Dan Mock, Vice President of Operations at Mister Sparky also speaks to electrical safety tips. "Electrical shorts occur when electricity is traveling along an unintended path, which can happen if the insulation on your lights’ wiring is old, damaged, or intentionally spliced or cut. Your electrical breaker often trips when there is an electrical short, cutting off power."
"Whether you're pulling out an old box of string lights or buying new ones, check all the strings for damage. The cords shouldn’t have cracks, frays, or bare wires," Mock notes. "If you're decorating outside, make sure to select strings of lights that are UL-listed and approved for outdoor use."
So, let's dive in. Review these holiday light safety tips so your indoor and outdoor decorations are both magical and safe.
Should I leave my holiday lights on all night? In the rain?
The allure is undeniable, but consider using timers or smart plugs. Setting decor to turn on at dusk and off at midnight can save you in energy usage from outlets.
Additionally, hanging outdoor electrical lights during wet weather can pose electrical hazards, even leading to electrical shocks.
"[Lights should] be dry as often as possible to avoid nuisance outages and safety hazards throughout the holiday season," says Mock. "As you connect strands together, consider sealing the connections between the lights and use weatherproof covers for outlet connections while the lights are plugged in. Plugging into a weatherproof outlet will reduce contact with water, thereby reducing the possibility of the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) cutting off power to the stringed lights and other potential hazards."
Is it safe to bury outdoor rated cords under the dirt?
The urge to conceal outdoor extension cords is understandable, but not recommended.
Burying extension cords can lead to damage, increased fire risk, and safety hazards.
A safer option is to use outdoor-rated heavy-duty extension cords and protect them with cord protector cable covers.
My gutter feels loose. Is it safe to clip lights on it?
The answer is a resounding NO. "The weight of any snowfall, as well as that of both the lights and the clips attached to them, could lead to the lights falling," shared Groundworks National Structural Installation Trainer, Clint Dixon "It could cause extensive damage to your gutters, as well as the home."
What does it cost to hire a light installation service?
Jealous of the neighborhood that collabs on a news-worthy decorative lighting display? According to a survey by Angi, 42% of homeowners who decorate for the holidays are considering hiring a company for help; however, the convenience of a Christmas light hanging service comes with a cost. On average, it can range from $200 to $800.
The price varies based on several factors:
- The size of your home. If this is a rooftop job, the linear footage around your home, and the square footage of your roof.
- The pitch of the roof. If it's steep, it'll require a crew with extra equipment.
- The complexity of your decorative light display. Up and down the trees? Across the yard? 5 light strands, or 50?
- Location. Not only your location geographically, but accessibility to your lot and the perimeter around your house, too.
Looking for savings? Many homeowners and communities contract with the same company for a value savings. Ask your neighbors if they want to share the cost for multiple properties.
Are outdoor bulbs safe?
Outdoor-rated decorations are safe, but the newer the lights, the better.
"Older strands are more prone to damage – we recommend replacing them every four years," shares Wilbert. "Look for products that have been tested for safety with certification marks from UL, CSA, ETL, or other nationally recognized organizations.
Emphasizing the potential for energy efficiency and cost savings, she adds, "You should also consider using LED lights when possible as they run cooler, use fewer watts of energy and last longer than incandescent lights.”
If I splice a wire, will it still be safe?
"Don't use extension cords that are taped up or spliced," cautions Mock. Further, they should be 3-wire grounded cords – identified by the product label and the three prongs rather than two."
Paying attention to UL-seals and checking for damaged connections minimizes electrical load capacity problems and home fires.
How can you tell if a fuse if blown on holiday lights?
A sudden outage could be a blown fuse. Check for loose connections, and inspect the fuse in the plug.
If it's clear or exhibits a broken filament, it's blown. Replace it with a fuse of the same type and rating.
If replacing fuses doesn't resolve the issue, carefully examine for damaged bulbs that might require attention.
Will my electrical system be able to handle my lighting display?
It's important to avoid overloading your home's system. "Consider [the circuit rating] and what is already plugged into the circuit you’ll be plugging in your lights and holiday decorations," cautions Mock.
For example, if you have an appliance like a refrigerator or deep freezer in your garage, adding the lights might cause an overload. "It’s best that an appliance and a large amount of holiday lights aren’t plugged into the same circuit, so consider using another circuit if possible," he explains. "While a tripping breaker can be disruptive to your daily life, it is most often doing its job to keep you and your family safe."
If you have older breakers, he recommends testing it regularly. "Whichever electrical breaker will be powering your holiday lights and decorations, you should exercise it by flipping it off and on. Like any mechanical device, the components need to move regularly to stay operational. Exercising circuit breakers helps them to work properly should they need to cut off power."
The warning sign? "If power still runs when you flip the breaker to the off position, it likely needs to be replaced by a qualified electrician."
Do inflatable decorations use a lot of electricity?
While individual inflatables may not be major power hogs, the collective effect of multiple decorations can increase your electricity bill. To strike a balance between festivity and energy efficiency, consider setting them on an automatic timer or using smart strip plugs.
Can you use an extension cord for LED holiday strip lights?
Using an extension cord for LED bulbs is acceptable (and often necessary) for hanging decor in certain locations; however, it's important to use an outdoor-rated electrical cord that can handle the power requirements of the lights.
Opt for a single extension cord with a sufficient gauge to prevent voltage drop, and don't layer on any additional power strips if you can help it.
How do you sync your lights to the radio?
Synchronized lights are captivating and add a little something more to the holiday spirit. To achieve this effect, you'll need to purchase a controller compatible with your lights. WowLights has a lot of components that'll help, but focus on the Whole House FM transmitter and the Light-O-Rama controllers.
From there, it's connected to your music source and programmed with the desired effects. Some controllers come with software that allows precise synchronization to your chosen music, offering a customizable and dynamic display.
Is it tacky to leave holiday lights up year-round?
The debate surrounding the decorum of year-round lighting is... subjective.
Some view it as tacky, others perceive it as a year-round celebration (especially if it's only white lights).
That said, low-profile permanent string lights for smart homes are becoming mainstream. Companies like GE have innovated products that can stay up under your eaves year-round, and they don't look bad at all.
If you keep your lights up into February intend to keep them lit for other holidays, consider using subtle, non-seasonal lights that seamlessly transition beyond the holiday season.
