Holiday lights and Christmas tree safety is something a lot of people don’t often think about. Decorating with holiday lights and putting up a Christmas tree has become such a tradition among many households that people often don’t realize that there are safety risks involved. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate those safety risks.

5 Holiday Light and Christmas Tree Safety Tips

The following are a few safety tips that you should keep in mind when setting up holidays lights or a Christmas tree:

1. Check your lights for damage – Always check your lights for broken or cracked sockets, loose connections or wires that are frayed or bare. Strings of holiday lights that are damaged are more likely to pose a potential fire hazard if they short. If they’re damaged, just throw them away.
2. Be careful when plugging in your lights – First of all, never connect more than three strands of incandescent holiday lights together. If you’re using extension cords, make sure that each cord is rated for its intended use and in good condition.
3. Be careful using holiday lights outside – Make sure your holiday lights are certified for outdoor use. Not all holiday lights are. If they are, make sure you only plug them into a GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet, which will automatically shut off the flow of electricity if there is a short, which can prevent potential electrical fires from breaking out.
4. Don’t put your Christmas tree near a heat source – Avoid putting your tree near fireplaces, candles, radiators, and vents where the heat or flames could cause the branches to catch fire.
5. Make sure your tree isn’t blocking an exit – Don’t put the tree up near a doorway. This could obstruct a potential exit that you may need in the event of a fire.

If you’re planning to put up a Christmas tree or decorating with holiday lights this holiday season, then make sure you keep these safety tips in mind. Learn about more safety tips throughout the year by continuing to visit us at The Benefits Store.