Make Your Christmas Lights Much less Harmful

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Whether or not multicolored or basic white, just a few strands of vacation lights could make just about something look festive, each indoors and open air. And whereas the strings of small bulbs have a longstanding status of being annoying and troublesome to work with—which may typically result in accidents—additionally they carry different security dangers. Right here’s how one can get pleasure from Christmas lights with out anybody or something getting harm.

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Christmas mild security ideas

Christmas lights could look innocent—with their cheerful colours and twinkling modes—however don’t overlook that you simply’re nonetheless coping with glass and electrical energy, and accidents can occur. Listed below are just a few methods to keep away from them:

Fastidiously examine strands from earlier years

For those who’re reusing vacation lights from earlier years—which you must when you’ve got them—be mild while you take them out of storage. Earlier than placing them up, take the time to do a quick check of every strand, ensuring there aren’t any damaged bulbs, frayed (or naked) wires, free connections, or the rest that appears doubtlessly harmful. When doubtful, exchange the strand.

Don’t use indoor lights exterior

Bear in mind our buddies at Underwriters Laboratories (UL)? They’ve been testing vacation lights for roughly a century, so initially, search for the UL mark when buying new ones.

However even when you’ve got a bathtub of a number of strands of lights all tangled collectively, and their unique bins are lengthy gone, the UL mark on the tag will nonetheless inform you whether or not they meet the security necessities for indoor use solely, or each indoor or outside use.

A inexperienced UL mark on the tag or close to the plug signifies that the lights have been evaluated for indoor use solely, whereas the purple UL mark signifies that the lights are secure to make use of each indoors and open air.

Christmas lights made for indoor use could not be capable to stand up to precipitation, excessive temperatures, or water publicity, so avoiding utilizing these exterior.

Go for LEDs, if attainable

Shopping for new Christmas lights this yr? Go for ones utilizing LED bulbs, in the event that they’re out there. Not solely do they price much less to function than conventional bulbs, however as a result of they don’t use as much energy, it additionally makes it safer to attach a number of strands collectively. Plus, LED bulbs don’t get as scorching because the incandescent selection, in order that they’re much less prone to trigger a hearth.

Don’t depart them on in a single day

Power prices apart, some consultants advocate turning your Christmas lights off at night time earlier than going to mattress, or placing them on a timer that switches them off mechanically. Although LED bulbs aren’t vulnerable to overheating, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to examine the label on the lights to see whether or not the bulbs and wattage can handle long periods of illumination.