Christmas Light Safety
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year are drawing nigh, and if you?re like my family, you?ll be making special trips to admire the twinkling lights hung around the city. Christmas lights are undoubtedly one of the best ways to rekindle that Christmas spirit, but they can also be a serious hazard with the potential to do more harm than good during your holiday season.
Before you begin decorating your house with lights this year you should first ensure that the outlets you will be using are in good condition, and that your strands of lights aren?t outdated. Newer lights have fused plugs that will prevent sparks in the event of a short circuit. You should also test your light strands to detect any bulbs that are burned out, and replace the bulbs right away. Be sure to replace them with the correct wattage!
If you are stringing lights on the outside of your house, check that the lights you are using are meant for outdoor use. Avoid using nails or staples to string lights, as they may puncture the insulation of the wire. Instead use insulated hooks or clips?not only does this keep you from putting unnecessary holes in the exterior of your house, but it also makes the lights a lot easier to take down at the end of the season. Be sure to keep your extension cord plugs elevated to ensure that they don?t get water damage from the snow or rain, and secure any extension cords that are along the ground so that no one trips over them.
Most important of all: DO NOT keep your Christmas lights plugged in over night or when you aren?t home. This may cause overheating, which can lead to electrical fires.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, about 260 fires are caused each year due to Christmas trees, and about another 150 fires are caused by decorative lights alone. Ensure that your family has a safe and happy holiday season by taking a small amount of extra time for safety precautions.
Before you begin decorating your house with lights this year you should first ensure that the outlets you will be using are in good condition, and that your strands of lights aren?t outdated. Newer lights have fused plugs that will prevent sparks in the event of a short circuit. You should also test your light strands to detect any bulbs that are burned out, and replace the bulbs right away. Be sure to replace them with the correct wattage!If you are stringing lights on the outside of your house, check that the lights you are using are meant for outdoor use. Avoid using nails or staples to string lights, as they may puncture the insulation of the wire. Instead use insulated hooks or clips?not only does this keep you from putting unnecessary holes in the exterior of your house, but it also makes the lights a lot easier to take down at the end of the season. Be sure to keep your extension cord plugs elevated to ensure that they don?t get water damage from the snow or rain, and secure any extension cords that are along the ground so that no one trips over them.
Most important of all: DO NOT keep your Christmas lights plugged in over night or when you aren?t home. This may cause overheating, which can lead to electrical fires.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation, about 260 fires are caused each year due to Christmas trees, and about another 150 fires are caused by decorative lights alone. Ensure that your family has a safe and happy holiday season by taking a small amount of extra time for safety precautions.
I am a licensed insurance agent in Kansas and Missouri, and if I would be happy to assist you in any way possible!
Brian Chandler
Farmers Insurance Agent
1201 NW Briarcliff Pkwy #345
Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 888-4528
farmersagent.com/bchandler
bchandler@farmersagent.com
