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Christmas season is here, and one of the most awaited moments is putting up your home’s Christmas Tree and adorning it with beautiful decorations. We typically add Christmas Tree lights to spice up our trees for a more colorful and lively feel.
Even if we think that Christmas Tree lights are not as harmful and risky as we perceive them, it would still be ten times better to be cautious when using them. After all, we do not want to spoil our Christmas.
So, to ensure that no fire threatens our happiness this festive season, this blog will focus on Christmas Tree safety tips for a safe and joyful Christmas for everyone!
1. Choosing Safe Christmas Lights
Safety should be your top priority when using lights for decorations rather than colors.
Colors are important, but safety comes first. So, let’s start by identifying what UL Certification is and which light is better, LED or Incandescent?
UL Certification
So, for our first Christmas Tree safety tip, look for the UL Certification in your Christmas Tree light. You can find the UL Certification in the packaging of the light’s box or on a tag attached to the string of the light.
What does it mean if there’s a UL Certification?
This means Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has tested the lights for safety. It guarantees that the lighting you will use is electrically safe and fire-resistant.
LED Lights vs. Incandescent
LED lights are better Christmas Tree lights compared to incandescent lights. Unlike incandescent lights, LED lights consume 80% less energy and don’t get hot. Incandescent light gets hot and consumes more power.
If you opt for LED lights, there is a lower chance of fire. It’s just that they cost more upfront than incandescent light. However, they last longer and cost less on your electricity bill than incandescent lights.
2. Inspecting Lights Before Use
Inspection before use is crucial for preventing electrical fires. Here’s what you can do:
Checking for Damage
We understand the excitement of hanging up Christmas Tree lights and feel that spark of joy whenever we do ours!
However, regardless of how excited you are about putting up your Christmas Tree and wrapping it up with vibrant lights, pause plugging it in and check for damages or indications of tears.
Check if any bulbs are missing or if the string is ripped and the electrical cords are exposed.
Testing Bulbs
After checking for visible damages, it’s time to test whether the bulbs are all working. Plug in the lights before you hang them and set them correctly to lessen your struggle and save time and energy.
Check if all bulbs are lit. If you spot a burnt-out bulb, replace it with the appropriate bulb of the same wattage. Testing light bulbs before use will significantly save you from troubleshooting problems later.
3. Proper Installation of Lights
Assuming that you have already tested the lights before use. Now, let us know how to properly install lights according to their use.
Outdoor vs. Indoor Use
When it says “for indoor use,” stick to it. Never use indoor lights outside because they were not built to withstand the harshness of your home’s outdoor environment.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep your lights to their optimum performance and use them for a long time. Check the label of the lights you bought and see where they are used.
Avoiding Overloading
Avoid overloading the outlet and your Christmas tree with lights and decorations, as these pose fire risks.
Overloading may cause overheating. Use power strips, cable ties, and cord covers to keep everything nice and neat. Scatter the locations of your household plugs so that no single outlet is overcrowded.
4. Using Extension Cords Safely
Extension cord safety is also part of the electrical safety tips for Christmas. These are widely used for appliances and other electrical products, and sometimes, if not checked properly, they can cause fires.
Choosing the Right Cord
Choose an appropriate extension cord that can handle the wattage of the lights you will use. Check the cord’s use as well, whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
Proper Placement
Correctly placing your extension cord away from things that can easily catch fire would lower the chance of catching fire. Examples of household items that can easily catch fire include:
- Clothing and fabric like curtains
- Home appliances
- Heating equipment
- Flammable chemicals like cleaning agents
- Smoking materials like cigarettes
- Christmas Decorations
- Lint in dryer vents
- Batteries
Be wary of these things. Ensure your extension cord is not too close to these flammable household items.
5. Avoiding Common Electrical Hazards
Electrical hazards are a significant threat to our safety and security. To ensure a merry and bright (because of safe Christmas Tree lights) Christmas, here are the hazards that you should look out for:
Water Hazards
Water hazards can cause electrical fire when water comes in contact with electrical outlets, extension cords, and appliances. To keep the safety of your loved ones and your home, take note of the following:
- Keep outlets away from water sources, such as faucets, hoses, or bathrooms.
- Inspect electrical works regularly and always search for any damages.
- Look for GFCI outlets. These outlets cut off power once water is detected.
- Teach your family members, including children, how to care for high-risk household items such as those that need electrical power.
Educate them on the repercussions of letting water come in contact with electricity. Most importantly, teach them how to keep themselves safe from fire.
Safe Outlets
Always ensure outlets are not crowded and cords are correctly organized. Keep any electrical works away from children’s reach, and keep lighting and outlets dry. Moreover, regularly inspect for visible wear and tear of cords and strips and if there are any busted or burn-out bulbs.
6. Placement of the Christmas Tree
Did you know that the placement of your home’s Christmas Tree also affects your safety this Christmas season?
Stable Position
As a responsible homeowner, you should know where to place the Christmas Tree for a stable position. A spot or space in your house where people and pets can’t bump or trip over it.
You know your house better, so you will know where to place it and how to make space for it. Ensure that the base of the tree is super sturdy for security.
7. What to Do in Case of an Emergency
Fire Safety Plan
A solid fire safety plan will protect you and your loved ones from fire disasters. We never know when a fire will start, so it’s better to be prepared than not know what to do in an emergency.
- Know the exits. Be familiar with your house and determine how and where to leave immediately.
- Know the meeting spots or evacuation areas. Locate the safest place near you.
- Install smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms are essential in homes to help determine if there are any fires inside and for immediate fire response.
- Have a list of essential contacts. Call 911 or help from your immediate surroundings. It could be from your neighbor or the local neighborhood. Save a contact list of your area’s fire department and other vital institutions.
Emergency Contacts
As a homeowner, you should keep emergency contacts in your home. An emergency contact list comprises important numbers of the local police or fire department. Ensure that all family members have access to this list, and make them memorize the numbers.
In a fire emergency, your top priority should be your well-being and your family’s safety. Call for help and avoid going back inside a burning house.
8. Holiday Lighting for Outdoor Displays
Thinking of decorating your lawn or backyard with holiday lighting? Don’t skip these outdoor display safety tips!
Weatherproof Lights
When choosing outdoor lighting, choose weatherproof ones. Weatherproof lighting resists damage caused by environmental factors such as rain, extreme heat, and snow. Opting for this will save you money, time, and energy.
Secure Installation
Just like the indoor installation we discussed above, outdoor installation should also be secured, which is ensured by using outdoor extension cords and lights.
- As much as possible, keep the electrical works away from moisture.
- Keep electrical works away from people’s walkways.
- Secure cords to trees or fences through outdoor cord organizers such as hooks or stakes
Wrap Up
Every homeowner should be aware of Christmas Tree safety to prevent fires and understand what to do in case of an electrical fire from Christmas Tree lights. Following what we shared above is crucial in keeping our homes safe during the happiest time of the year.
For more important information about Christmas safety and other related topics, please feel free to contact us at (310)276–9827 or email us at info@mrgreentrees.com. We’d love to share more tips and facts about our anticipated Christmas season!
Frequently Asked Questions
LED lights are much safer to use compared to other types of lighting. They consume less energy, remain calm, and are less likely to cause a fire.
For safety reasons, avoid using indoor Christmas lights outside because these products are engineered to handle indoor environments. Subjecting them to unstable weather might cause problems like fire, or they might get broken because of misuse.
Always handle the Christmas lights carefully. To avoid getting tangled, wrap them around a cardboard or storage reel for organized storage. Then, put them in a container and ensure that you leave them in a cool, dry place. This will make your lights usable for many Christmases to come.
Remember to keep calm. Unplug the lights immediately. Use your house’s fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. If the fire is outside your control, evacuate immediately and call 911. Do not attempt to put out an electrical fire using water!
