Before You Deck the Halls: Holiday Lighting Safety

Holiday lights make a home feel warm and welcoming, whether you’re wrapping a porch railing or adding a little sparkle to the living room. Before you plug everything in, take a few minutes to check your decorations and plan where the cords will go. A little attention now can help prevent electrical hazards throughout the season.

Start by inspecting every light string and extension cord while it is unplugged—even if it worked perfectly last year. Look for frayed or exposed wires, cracked sockets, damaged plugs, and loose connections. Discard damaged sets and cords instead of covering the problem with tape. When purchasing replacements, look for a safety certification mark from a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL.

Choose lights and extension cords rated for the location where you’ll use them. Indoor-only products belong inside, even if an outdoor spot seems sheltered from rain. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for how many light strings can connect end to end, and make sure the extension cord can handle the combined electrical load. Connection limits vary by product, so avoid assuming that every set follows the same rule. LED lights use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights, but their connection limits still matter.

Outdoors, plug decorations into GFCI-protected outlets. A ground-fault circuit interrupter helps protect against electric shock—a particularly important precaution where moisture may be present. Keep light strings, cords, and connections clear of puddles, snow, and standing water. Outdoor-rated equipment still needs to be positioned and used according to its instructions.

Plan the cord route before hanging your lights. Avoid running cords through doorways or windows where they could be pinched, and never hide them beneath rugs. Covered cords can overheat, while pressure from doors or furniture can damage their insulation. Extension cords should serve as temporary connections, not permanent substitutes for conveniently located outlets.

Use clips designed for hanging lights rather than staples or nails, which can puncture or pinch the wiring. Secure decorations without pulling cords tight or damaging their insulation. A neat display should also leave walkways clear so guests aren’t stepping over electrical cords.

Make switching off your decorations part of your routine before leaving home or going to bed. Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs or fuses, and follow the product instructions when choosing replacements.

Finally, pay attention to warning signs. If an outlet sparks, smells hot or like burning plastic, or repeatedly trips a breaker, stop using it and contact a qualified electrician. Don’t keep resetting a breaker to keep the decorations running.

Let the sparkle come from your lights—and give the cords, connections, and outlets behind them a little care before the holiday rush begins.

Safety resources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Holiday Decoration Safety Tips: https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/611.pdf

Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), Outdoor Decoration Safety Tips: https://www.esfi.org/outdoor-decoration-safety-tips/

ESFI, Electrical Fire Safety Checklist: https://www.esfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Electrical-Fire-Safety-Checklist.pdf