Holiday Lights Up? When You Turn Them Off Each Night = Fire Safety
November 30, 2023 10:30AM CST
Here’s When You Should Turn Your Christmas Lights Off Each Night
Plus: Other Seasonal Fire Safety Tips
Christmas lights are lovely, but they don’t come without safety risks.
The National Fire Protection Association says fire departments in the US responded to an average of 160 home fires, every holiday season, from 2014 through 2018 (data was different for pandemic lockdown) – and lighting equipment and electrical distribution accounted for 45-percent of those fires.
To stay safe, experts say you should be sure to turn your Christmas lights off before bed and before you leave your home.
Look for lights labeled with UL, as this means they’ve been tested for fire safety.
Consider getting LED lights, which emit less heat than incandescent lights – and cost a lot less.
Also, be diligent when hanging your lights—be sure not to misuse them or overload them.
As a general rule, fire safety experts recommend plugging in no more than three light strings at a time.
You should also check the bulbs and wiring, to make sure they don’t have any breaks or cracks, before you install them.
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