Power Guide: Holiday Lights Safety
The past three years in a row, your neighbors three doors down with the 10,000 LED bulbs in their yard have won the neighborhood Christmas decoration contest. Not this year!
Ready to have the best light show in the neighborhood? While you might not feel nervous about climbing on your roof like Santa Claus to hang up your new “mood lighting,” the last thing you want is to damage your home or worse—hurt yourself.
Your home needs to be lit up like a Christmas tree—not lit up in flames. Follow our team at Axiom Power’s lighting and electrical tips to stay safe and avoid any potential fires or blown fuses this holiday season.
Ensure Lighting is Outdoor-Safe
Before you hang up those new holiday lights, double-check to make sure you follow these guidelines.
Use lighting that is designated as “outdoor use”
Have proper access to outlets
Use “outdoor use” extension cables
Keep electrical connections off the ground
Stringing multiple lights together can help with decorating, making it easier to hang them along your roof or around large bushes. The box or instructions should indicate the lighting capacity so you know the maximum number of sets you can string together without any electrical problems.
Check the Bulbs
While this step in the process might be a huge pain, it will save you a bigger headache later on. If there are any cracked or missing bulbs, then you should replace them to prevent any short circuit issues, especially if you live in a rainy location.
It’s important to conduct a bulb check while the lights are turned off and unplugged to stay safe.
Avoid Overloading the Circuit
Electrical circuits are designed to handle a limited amount of electricity, so if you overload a circuit, the breaker will trip and your power will shut off. Circuit overloads are especially common around the holidays because of too many lights and extension cords.
Investigate the amps rating on your circuit breakers as well as the amps of what you want to plug in. If the total you want to plug in overrules your circuit breaker, you’re asking for trouble.
If you’re not sure how much power you want to use and how much power your home can handle, perhaps it’s time to call your expert electricians at Axiom Power!
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Care for Your Cables
Any cables that you use should be in good condition without exposed wire, tears, sharp bends, or damaged inputs and outputs. If you see any exposed wire with minimal damage, wrap it with electrical tape. However, most other ailments are best for the trash.
Be very aware of potential fire hazards and be sure to prevent fires wherever possible. If you need to hang lights, use plastic clips instead of nails or staples. This will save not only your cables, but your roof.
Use GFCI Circuits
Circuits used to plug in items like inflatables and large luminescent reindeer should be plugged into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). This will prevent electric shocks by breaking the circuit if there is an excessive current change.
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Have a Safe & Merry Christmas
Our team at Axiom Power is rooting for you in your annual neighborhood Christmas decoration contest. Using our tips to keep yourself safe while hanging up the pizzazz; we know you have the power to bring the holiday cheer!
Need help designing landscape lighting that will wow your neighbors all year long? If you are looking for a team of electricians who are reliable, fast, professional, and GLOWING with personality, call (813)-308-9328 to schedule your appointment. The future is bright with Axiom Power!