Carefully make your holiday a safe one by inspecting and testing your lights before hanging them. What worked fine last year may not this holiday. Wiring and bulbs have undergone a year of wear and tear by now. Be mindful to use only lighting that has been designed for outdoor use. If not properly installed and cared for those blinking and glowing lights can become a hazard. Holiday lights add cheer to the season, but use caution with placement and never leave the lights unattended if you are not home.
Remember that you should never use inside cords for outside decoration. Also, do not overload them by putting more than three strings of lights into one cord. Be sure to use extension cords correctly. Current going through the cords can heat them up, so you do not want a cord coiled on the floor in layers. This could be a fire hazard. Try to use the length of cord that you will need.
Keep in mind that trees and other plants you may choose to decorate with lights are organic compounds such as wood and leaves, and these materials can possibly catch fire if they are overheated. You should definitely discard your old holiday lights if you feel that the lights are giving off too much heat. New technology means that the bulbs on newer lights can be replaced, and they are designed to prevent a short circuit.
Certified outdoor lighting is specifically designed to be used outdoors in all weather conditions, and should be used for an outdoor seasonal lights display, rather than indoor lights. Indoor lighting used outside can increase the risk of fires, and short circuits. LED lights look just like the standard incandescent holiday that you've grown used to, only better. In point of fact they last longer with a 50,000 hour bulb life. LED lights are safer - due to burning at a lower temperature, and are practically unbreakable. But most importantly, the LED lights are more efficient - they use 90% less energy than the lights your neighbor leaves up year-round.
Zimmerman Tree Service provides commercial and residential holiday and year-round lighting services in the Palm Beach County area.
