Holiday Lighting Safety – Indoor Lights

Decorations make your home come alive with the spirit of the holidays. Nothing encourages warmth and coziness like twinkling multi-colored lights, tinsel and garland. But, if you're like most people, those strings of lights you're wrapping around Ol' Tannenbaum have probably been in your family for a few generations. And, in between holidays, they're probably stored in a cold, damp basement or in a hot and humid attic.

Did you know that Christmas tree fires occur in approximately 200 homes each year? They are also responsible for approximately six deaths, 25 injuries and over $6 million in damage. Sure, why not string these lights on a tree that gets dryer and more flammable as the days go by?

Here are a few indoor holiday lighting tips you can use to ensure a safer, happier holiday season.

• Check Your Existing Strings of Lights for Fraying – When you took your holiday lights down at the end of last season, how careful were you? Were you rushed, eager to get the decorations down so you could catch some of the big game? Odds are you weren't as careful as you should have been and some of the wires may have been damaged. Before using your old lights, go through each strand socket by socket to ensure no wires have been pulled out, stripped or frayed.
• Hang Your Lights Wisely – If the Wise Men were around today, they would no doubt advise you to avoid using nails, staples or tacks to hang your strings of lights. Most hardware stores sell insulated holders specifically made for hanging holiday lights.
• Hang Your Lights Carefully – Think about where you are stringing your lights before you actually do it. You don't want to hang the lights near anything that's remotely flammable, like paper. Additionally, you don't want to hang them near any heat sources like a fireplace, space heater or candle.
• Make Sure the Lights are UL Approved – You may get tempted into picking up dollar-store Christmas lights to round out your holiday decorating but be careful! Many of the bargain or discounted holiday lights are not UL approved and as such, pose a higher risk of fire hazard. Always look for the UL label verifying that the equipment has been tested and verified safe.
• Use Only Indoor Lights for Indoor Decorating – Holiday lights are rated indoor and outdoor for a reason. Outdoor lights burn a little brighter which can cause them to create more heat than indoor lights. Hanging outdoor lights inside can increase your chance of a fire, especially when they are placed on a tree.

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, NJ.  An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion - writing.