It may seem low risk, but it's always better to turn off your Christmas lights before you go to bed at night. "We recommend unplugging your tree before you got to sleep or leave the house," shares Jen Wilbert, AVP of Property at Travelers Insurance. Research by Travelers Insurance shows that only 60% of respondents are turning off their holiday lights overnight or when they're not home, but it’s an important step that can decrease the risk of electrical fires. Furthermore, Wilbert reports that "33% of respondents use holiday lights that are at least three years old when decorating for the holidays. Older lights are more prone to damage."
Christmas tree lights on all night can be safe, but you should be mindful of the risks. Consider the following safety tips to reduce property damage:
- Use LED lights. LED lights produce less heat compared to traditional incandescent lights, reducing the risk of fire. LED strings of lights are also more energy-efficient.
- Check for damaged cords on string lights. Before using any lights, inspect the cords for any signs of damage such as fraying or exposed wires. Damaged cords can pose a fire hazard and should be replaced. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five home Christmas tree fires.
- Turn off your indoor holiday lights when they're not needed. Going to work? Turn them off. Going to bed? Turn them off. To conserve energy and reduce the risk of overheating, just turn off the Christmas lights when you're not around to monitor for changes.
- Use a timer. We're all human—it's easy to forget to turn off your lights. Investing in timers or smart plugs for your lights can help reduce your risk. By automating the lights to turn on and off at specific times, you can eliminate the likelihood that you'll forget to turn them off when you're going to sleep.
- Use grounded outlets. Using Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets for holiday decorations is a good safety practice. GFCIs are designed to quickly shut off power in the event of a ground fault, which can occur if there is an electrical issue or if water comes into contact with the electrical components. In addition to protecting against house fires, can also reduce the likelihood of electrical shock.
- Avoid overloading extension cords. Choose an extension cord with an adequate power rating for the indoor lights or other electrical decorations you plan to connect to it. Overloading an electrical cord can lead to overheating and increase the risk of a fire, especially on a dry tree. And, don't use an indoor extension cord to power outdoor lights!
- Keep lights away from flammable materials. Avoid putting your light strings or bulbs in direct contact with any flammable materials, such as curtains, paper, or decorations.
- Supervise real candles. We get it—very hygge—but if you use real candles in your decorations, never leave them unattended. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs, but eight percent were started by candles according to the NFPA.
Is it safe to leave the lights on an artificial tree overnight?
It may seem that a real pine tree boasts the biggest risk, unfortunately, the permanent wiring on an artificial tree is also dangerous to leave on overnight. The electrical wiring in built-in lights used by many fake trees can fray and become faulty over time. Don't let it stop you from getting into the holiday spirit, but think twice about the safety hazard of leaving your Christmas tree and light display on while you go to sleep.
