Besides adding timers to your outdoor lighting displays to reduce holiday energy costs, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Make sure all lights and electrical decorations, including extension cords, are marked for outdoor use.
- Always use a GFCI-protected outlet outdoors.
- Inspect all lights, decorations and extension cords for damage. Discard defective strands.
- Test holiday lights by plugging in each strand before hanging them.
- Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, the house or other firm supports to protect them from wind damage, but take care not to attach lights with nails or staples, which could damage the cords’ insulation. Also void resting bulbs on tree needles and branches; instead, use clips to keep the bulbs upright.
- Keep extension cords and lights clear of snow and standing water.
- Make sure spotlights are well-ventilated, protected from weather and a safe distance from flammable items.
- Use wooden or fiberglass ladders when decorating outdoors. Metal ladders conduct electricity.
- Exercise caution when decorating near power lines. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet from power lines.
- Turn o ff all indoor and outdoor holiday lights and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.
- If you need new lights, purchase LEDs; they're cool to the touch and more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Look for holiday lights that include the Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) label.
