Holiday Decorating Safety Tips

‘Tis the season when your Honey-Do list includes the most festive of tasks … decorating the house for the holidays and putting up the Christmas lights. Whether it’s a simple string of lights or you’re planning to go full Griswold, Triple Tech is here to make sure you do it safely with our latest blog on Holiday Decorating Safety Tips.

Safety First

As you drag the lights out from storage and gather up all your extension cords, you want to check everything over to ensure you’re getting the sparkle and not just sparks.

• Plug each string of lights in individually to make sure they work, replacing any broken or burnt-out bulbs
• Check the light strings for any cut, knicked or exposed wires.
• Only use lights and decorations rated for outdoor use
• Make sure your extension cord is up to code and also rated for outdoor use. Be sure to keep the connections above ground, snow and water.
• Use up-to-date lights, Grandma’s old-style lights may look pretty but they can also be a fire hazard.
• When attaching lights to the house or trees, use insulated holders and not tacks or nails.
• Never install lights on a tree that comes into contact with powerlines
• While they are designed to connect, you should never plug more than three light strings together
• The plug that you will be using should be a grounded fault circuit interrupter or GFCI. This will shut down if there is an overcurrent. If you need a GFCI installed, the Electrical Division at Triple Tech can help!

Safety first doesn’t just include inspecting the lights and cords. When stringing lights higher up, you want to use a good sturdy ladder and make sure it is grounded on a solid flat surface Work with a partner who can offer assistance and stability when needed. If the slant of your roof is too steep, you may want to hire an insured professional.

More Power!

Before you flip the switch to light up all your hard work, you will need to check your breaker box. The last thing you want to do is overload the system. If you are using decorative inflatables along with your light display, be sure to read the enclosed manual to see what kind of power draw they will need.

If you have electrical questions or concerns, holiday-related or not, Triple Tech is here to help! Our new Electrical Division is headed up by Master Electrician Jeremy Walker and can be reached by calling 705-333-8324.