Holiday lights can add atmosphere and festiveness to your property this time of year, but there are a few important things that homeowners should know about this type of seasonal décor. Keep reading for some dos and don’ts that licensed electricians in Columbus would want you to know about holiday lighting.
Don’t Ignore Electrical Maintenance
A good time to schedule a professional inspection of your electrical system is before you plug in all your holiday lighting. For this reason, you should consider hiring an electrician to check your home’s electrical wiring before you begin hanging your lights.
Also, if you’ll be reusing lights from previous years, then it’s a smart idea to inspect them and toss out any that have signs of wear or damage.
Do Use GFCI Outlets
When hanging up holiday lighting, it’s important for any outdoor lights to be plugged into the right kind of electrical outlet. All your exterior lighting should be plugged into ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets so that the power will be cut off in the case of a power surge or short circuit.
If your outdoor outlets do not have GFCIs, then speak with an electrician about replacing these before you start hanging holiday lights.
Don’t Use Ladders Along
To help avoid a trip to the emergency room this season, ensure that you have someone holding the base before climbing your ladder. Also, ensure that the ladder is in good condition and is on a stable, flat surface.
Finally, remember to carry your supplies in a tool belt, always keep at least one hand on the ladder, and wear close-toed, slip-resistant shoes.
Do Use the Right Lights
When choosing lights for your holiday decorating, it’s important to realize that not all are approved for use outdoors. For this reason, make sure you only use lights designed to be outside for your exterior decorating.
Also, consider using LED holiday lights, which are more energy-efficient than traditional ones. Lastly, remember that no lights, whether inside or out, should be left plugged in unattended.
