Making sure your outdoor festive lights are safe

Whether you’re just about to deck the halls or you’re an early bird who’s been enjoying a sparkling display for weeks already, the use of Christmas lights can help you spread that festive joy both inside and outside your home.

From the lights adorning your Christmas tree to the fantastic displays outdoors, safety should remain a top priority whatever the style or scale of your display. Here we share our top tips for keeping your outdoor festive lights safe so you can really enjoy the season.

Before you deck – check!

Those long months of storage can have more of an impact than you think on the condition of your Christmas lights.

The wiring, cables and plugs of Christmas lighting can all become damaged over time or without the correct storage, so before you deck the halls, be sure to check their condition. When checking your lights, keep an eye out for loose wiring, wiring seal breaks, and faulty bulbs.

If in doubt, throw them out

If, upon inspection, your Christmas lights are looking a little worse for wear, don’t try to fix the damage yourself.

Whilst electrical tape can remedy all manner of damage, a completely waterproof system is integral to safety when it comes to outdoor lighting displays. Throw out damaged or worn Christmas lights, and treat yourself to a new, high quality display that’s suitable for outdoor use.

Invest in the right accessories

Mounting your outdoor Christmas lights can be a task and a half! Make life easier and displays safer by investing in the right accessories.

There are specially designed mounting clips and hooks that will ensure your display stays in place and safe all season long. These weather proof accessories are great investments that can be used time and time again, with their fit for purpose, easy to use designs making mounting a piece of cake.

When mounting lights on trees, make sure they are arranged securely and can’t become caught on a person or vehicle.

Remember, less is more!

Whilst it’s easy to go crazy with your outdoor Christmas lights, your electrical system and utility bill will certainly thank you for exercising a little restrain. Overloaded systems and sockets are bad news, and can increase fire risk dramatically.

When powering your outdoor Christmas lights, avoid the use of extension cables and adapters. You can also prevent overloading by switching your lights off when you go to bed or are away from home.