Holiday Lighting Safety Tips: How to Keep Your Home Safe This Season

Nov 27

The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and festive decor, especially when homes and businesses light up with dazzling displays. However, the increased electrical demand for holiday lights and decorations also brings heightened risks of electrical hazards.

According to the Office of the Fire Commissioner in British Columbia, an average of 113 holiday-related fires occurred over the recent decade. They urged Canadians to prioritize electrical safety, especially during the holiday season. This guide will cover essential holiday lighting safety tips to keep your home, business, and loved ones safe this season.

Choose the Right Lights for Indoor and Outdoor Use

Not all lights are made the same, and using indoor lights outside (or vice versa) can lead to dangerous situations.

Indoor Lights: These are designed for dry, enclosed spaces and shouldn’t be exposed to moisture. Always ensure your indoor lights have the appropriate UL (Underwriters Laboratories) safety label.

Outdoor Lights: Outdoor lights are weather-resistant and built to withstand rain, snow, and wind. When decorating outside, only use lights specifically labelled for outdoor use.

Using the correct type of lights minimizes risks and helps you enjoy the holidays without worry.

Prevent Circuit Overloads

Holiday lights, inflatable displays, and other decorations add to your overall electrical load, which can lead to circuit overloads if not managed correctly.

Use Multiple Outlets: Avoid plugging too many lights or decorations into a single outlet. Spread your decorations across multiple outlets to distribute the load and reduce the chance of overheating. Contact a qualified electrician to add more outlets to your home for decorations.

Invest in Power Strips with Surge Protectors: Power strips with built-in surge protectors help protect your devices from voltage spikes and can manage small increases in load without tripping your circuit breaker.

Know Your Circuit’s Capacity: Standard home circuits can handle about 15-20 amps. If unsure, consult an electrician to understand your system’s capacity and prevent overloads.

Reducing the strain on your circuits is a straightforward way to prevent holiday electrical hazards.

Consider a Dedicated Circuit for Holiday Decor

For those who go all-out with holiday decorations, adding a dedicated circuit specifically for lights and decor can be a smart investment to prevent circuit overload. A dedicated circuit is wired separately from the rest of your home’s electrical system, meaning it’s reserved solely for a particular use—like powering your holiday lights or larger displays.

Why It’s Useful: By dedicating a circuit to holiday decor, you avoid overloading other circuits that power essential appliances and home electronics. This helps to keep your home’s electrical system stable and reduces the chance of tripped breakers or potential hazards.

Professional Installation: A licensed electrician should always install a dedicated circuit to ensure it meets your home’s electrical capacity and safety standards.

Adding a dedicated circuit gives peace of mind and can be a lasting solution for future holidays and events where extra power is needed without risking electrical overload.

Be Cautious with Extension Cords

Extension cords are a common solution for holiday decorating, but improper use can be hazardous.

Choose Outdoor-Grade Extension Cords for Outdoor Use: Ensure any outside extension cords are weather-rated to prevent fraying and moisture damage.

Avoid “Daisy-Chaining” Extension Cords: Connecting multiple cords together (known as “daisy-chaining”) can cause the cords to overheat, posing a fire risk. Instead, opt for a single long extension cord that meets the necessary length and rating.

Keep Cords Clear of High-Traffic Areas: Avoid running extension cords across doorways or pathways that could create tripping hazards. Additionally, make sure cords are free of tangles and kept away from heat sources.

Proper use of extension cords can make a big difference in holiday lighting safety, ensuring that your decorations stay safely illuminated.

Opt for Eco-Friendly, Energy-Saving LED Lights

LED lights are safer and more cost-effective during the holiday season.

Reduced Heat Output: Unlike incandescent lights, LEDs remain cool to the touch, reducing the risk of overheating and fire.

Energy Savings: LEDs use up to 75% less energy than traditional lights, helping you save on energy bills throughout the holidays.

Longer Lifespan: LED lights last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice for holiday lighting.

Upgrading to LED lights is a win-win for both safety and energy efficiency. Plus, LEDs come in various colours and styles, so you don’t have to compromise on the festive look!

Stay Safe and Bright This Holiday Season with MMi Electrical

It’s essential to ensure that your lighting setup is festive and safe. By following these tips—choosing the right lights, managing circuit loads, using extension cords wisely, and switching to energy-efficient LEDs—you’ll minimize risks and create a safe, beautiful environment for everyone to enjoy.

At MMi Electrical, we’re committed to helping you stay safe year-round. Contact our team for further guidance or to schedule a holiday safety check. Wishing you a safe, joyful holiday season filled with the warm glow of worry-free lights!

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Brittini H