Holiday Lighting Safety Checklist

Now that the holiday season is here, I wanted to take a moment to remind all of my homeowners, (or those looking to decorate their home) about a few simple rules of holiday lighting, and how to keep it as safe as possible, as well as a few tips that I use every year.

Inspect light strings. Discard any that are damaged. Frayed or cracked electrical cords or broken sockets are leading fire hazards. We string our exterior lights through the house, checking bulbs and sockets before they go outside.

-Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting multiple strings. The general limit is three strings. Light strings with stacked plugs can usually accommodate greater lengths than end-to-end connections.

-Replace burned-out bulbs promptly. Empty sockets can cause the entire string to overheat.

-Make sure outdoor lighting is UL-rated for exterior use. Exterior lights, unlike those used inside the house, need to be weather-resistant. The same goes for any extension cords used outdoors.

-Don’t use outdoor lights indoors. They’re too hot for interior use. For the coolest bulbs and greatest energy efficiency, try LED lights, which come in a wide range of styles and colors.

-Don’t attach light strings with nails or staples. They can cut through the wire insulation and create a fire hazard. Only use UL-approved hangers.  We use the plastic clips that attach to the roof and gutters, it makes it so easy to put them up and take them down, and you can reuse them year after year.

-Take exterior lights down within 90 days. The longer they stay up, the more likely they are to suffer damage from weather and critters chewing on them. This is very important in Teton Valley, with the inclement weather, your lights are likely to get destroyed by spring! However, we usually wait until there isn’t much snow on the roof, for safety.

-Store lights safely. Tangled lights can lead to damaged cords and broken sockets. After the holidays, coil each string loosely around a stiff piece of cardboard, wrap it in paper or fabric to protect the bulbs, and store in a sturdy container until next year. I actually put each strand of indoor lights into a Ziploc bag (gallon size) and store in a large plastic container, that way, each year they aren’t tangled, and they are super easy to put back on the tree.  Exterior lights, we use plastic shopping bags for each strand.  I abhor plastic bags, but this way they can be reused year after year.
I hope that all of you enjoy all that this wonderful season has to offer!  Whether it be the amazing power we’re getting at Grand Targhee, family vacation or together time, shopping, eating or relaxation, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.