If you’re unpacking string lights and other holiday decorations, our Orlando electricians have some practical tips that can help you stay safety-conscious this season.
According to reports from the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorations cause an average of 860 home fires each year. Additionally, 210 home fires are caused by Christmas trees, and they are typically deadlier than other fires.
Electricity plays a big role in a lot of holiday decor. With string lights, extension cords, and everything else you use to create a festive atmosphere in your home, you will want to follow these guidelines to make sure that you’re decorating in the safest way possible.
Holiday Electrical Safety From Your Local Orlando Electricians
One: Make Sure You Have The Right Outlets
Outdoor electric lights and decorations need to be plugged into circuits that are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). It’s simple to check that the outlets you’re using are GFCI receptacles since there will be a test button and a reset button on the face of the outlet. Need some outlets installed outdoors? Our Orlando electricians can do that.
Something else that our electricians can assist you with is syncing your holiday displays with your smart device. We can connect your lights with an app on your smartphone, allowing you to control your decor with the press of a button.
Two: Only Use Decorations That Are In Good Condition
Check all of your cords and other decorations for signs of wear before installing them. Exposed wires can cause electrical shock and fires.
Three: Buy From Legitimate Retailers
Your electrical decorations should be supplied by reputable retailers and be approved by a testing laboratory that is recognized nationally. The cords of these decorations will indicate if they have been approved, and will be stamped with one of the following:
- UL (Underwriters Laboratory)
- CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
- ETL (Intertek)
Four: Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
If you’re planning some large-scale displays, check the manufacturer label to determine how many strings of lights should be connected together. UL listed lights usually state that a maximum of 210 watts can be connected when using 22-gauge wire, which is what is most commonly used for mini-lights.
LED lights allow you to connect many more strings together since their wattage is much lower. Failing to follow guidelines can ensure that you don’t end up with overloaded circuits.
If you are finding yourself short on outlets and using a lot of extension cords, you can have one of our licensed Orlando electricians install more outlets in your home.
Five: Power Off When You’re Away
Holiday decorations should never be left on while you are asleep or away from home. If you’re using a space heater, it should always be powered off when
you leave the room or are sleeping.
Wishing you could turn your space heater or holiday lights off from your phone? This is another great advantage to having our electricians connect your smartphone to your holiday display or other appliances.
Six: Think About Where You Are Decorating
Never use electrical decorations near water such as bathtubs, showers, or fish tanks. Electrical cords should not be run underneath furniture or rugs.
Happy Holidays From Bright Future Electric!
We want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the team at Bright Future Electric. Contact us if you have any residential electrical needs – our Orlando electricians are here to help.