Celebrate and illuminate the night with your wonderful Christmas lights, but do it safely. Here are some tips that you can use to help make your annual hanging of the outdoor lights a mark of delight and not a trip to to the emergency room.
First things first. Let us start with the electricity and how all of those lights are going to be powered. You want to make sure that the point where you are plugging the lights is in grounded (a ground fault) that also contains a circuit interrupter. This way, if there is too much current, the circuit will be shut down.
How do you get a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet? One can be permanently installed by an electrician, which is a good idea if you plan to do display every year, or you can get a portable one at your local home supply store. Portable units can be had for around $20 or less.
It is important that you only use lights that are made for the outdoors (or indoor/outdoor lights), so they can hold up to the winter elements. Of course, you’ll want to test your lights first before installing them.
Always read and follow the manufacturer instructions for connecting lights. You should tuck all of your cords away or use wire wraps if needed to keep the cords from going loose every which way. Only connect as many lights together as is recommended, and keep the connection points out of the snow and water.
Make sure you have the right tools to hang your Christmas lights. Use sturdy ladders and never go above the recommended steps on the ladder. When hanging lights, it is important to invest in insulated light holders or hooks. Using nails or tacks to hang your lights could be a fire hazard.
Do you like to hang some lights in your trees? If so, make sure that the trees are not in any contact with power lines.
Finally, shut off your lights when you go to bed or are not going to be home for an extended time. Consider using a timer on your lights, if you don’t think you will remember to do this.
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