Decorating with Christmas lights is one of the most fun holiday traditions, but did you know it can also be risky? Traditional Christmas lights may look beautiful, but they can bring unexpected dangers. From falling off ladders to wiring issues and fire hazards, understanding these risks can help you keep your family safe during the holiday season.
In this article, we will review the top dangers and safety concerns around traditional Christmas lights. Having installed more than one million feet of permanent Christmas lights, we know a thing or two about holiday lighting and safety.
With the information here, you will have everything you need to know about the dangers and safety risks involved with traditional Christmas lights.
What Are The Dangers Of Traditional Christmas Lights?
1. Ladder Falls: A Common Danger When Hanging Traditional Christmas Lights
When putting up traditional Christmas lights, you often need to climb high ladders. Whether hanging lights on rooflines, trees, or tall windows, it can be tough to reach these places safely. Balancing on a ladder while holding lights, nails, or tools can be tricky, and a small slip might lead to a big fall.
Why Ladders Are Risky
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there is an average of 160 house decorating-related injuries per day during the holiday season, with the majority of incidents being falls. If the ladder isn’t on solid ground, it can wobble or tip. Standing too high on a ladder or leaning too far out is also dangerous and makes it easy to lose balance.
How to Use Ladders Safely
Always make sure your ladder is stable before climbing. Use at least three points of contact, such as two hands and one foot, to stay steady. If possible, have someone hold the ladder for added safety. For a safer solution, consider permanent Christmas lights, which don’t require climbing ladders every season.
2. Wiring Problems: A Hidden Fire Hazard With Traditional Christmas Lights
Traditional Christmas lights can have wiring issues, which create hidden fire risks. These lights are exposed to all kinds of weather—rain, snow, and wind can damage wires over time. Frayed or broken wires can cause sparks and start a fire.
Overloading Electrical Outlets
Many people plug multiple strands of lights into one outlet, which overloads the circuit and causes it to heat up, increasing the fire risk. Older homes might not be equipped to handle high electrical loads, leading to tripped breakers or even melted outlets.
Wiring Safety Tips
Inspect your lights each year. Look for broken wires, cracked bulbs, or loose connections before you plug them in. Limit yourself to plugging in three light strands per outlet. If a wire feels warm, unplug it right away. LED lights are a safer option as they use less electricity and are less likely to overheat.
3. Electrical Shock Risk With Traditional Christmas Lights
Since Christmas lights involve electricity, there’s always a chance of getting shocked, especially with outdoor lights. Any mistake in setup or contact with moisture can result in a shock.
Water and Electricity Don’t Mix
Rain, snow, or ice can seep into the light casings or wiring, making them hazardous to handle. Water conducts electricity, so if it reaches the wires, it can cause a shock when touched.
Tips for Avoiding Electrical Shocks
Only use lights labeled for outdoor use. These lights are usually weather-resistant and safer to use outside. Turn off your lights when you’re not around, and unplug them if the weather turns bad.
4. Fire Risks From Traditional Christmas Lights
Traditional Christmas lights, especially old incandescent bulbs, give off a lot of heat. If left on for hours, they can get very hot and might start a fire if they’re near anything flammable.
Fire Hazards with Hot Bulbs
If a hot bulb touches dry leaves, wooden shingles, or even certain holiday decorations, it could start a fire. Indoors, hot bulbs on a Christmas tree, near curtains, or on soft furniture are also risky.
Tips to Prevent Fires
Switch to LED lights if you can. LEDs stay cool to the touch and greatly reduce the risk of starting a fire. If you do use other types of lights, keep them away from anything that could catch fire.
5. Trips And Falls: Be Careful With Cords And Pathways When Using Traditional Christmas Lights
Extension cords and lights often crisscross your yard, driveway, or even the inside of your home. This can lead to tripping, which can cause injuries.
Trip Hazards in the Yard
If cords are placed across walkways or driveways, they become hazards. People can easily trip on them and fall.
How to Avoid Trips
Use clips to secure cords and lights, and keep them away from pathways. Tape down cords that must cross walkways or use covers made for outdoor cords to prevent accidents.
6. Weather Risks: Slippery Surfaces And Wind Damage With Traditional Christmas Lights
Weather adds extra challenges when setting up traditional Christmas lights. Snow, ice, and strong winds can make it harder to keep lights in place and stay safe while decorating.
Rain, Ice, and Slippery Surfaces
Ladders and roofs can be slippery from rain or ice, which makes them more dangerous to climb. Even a slight slip can cause a fall.
Wind Can Damage Lights
Strong winds can shake or pull at lights, loosening them from their anchors and creating hazards.
Weather Safety Tips
Choose a day with mild weather for setting up your lights. Avoid hanging lights on icy or windy days. Ensure all connections are secure, and check them regularly to ensure nothing has come loose.
Solution: Choose Safer, Permanent Christmas Lights
While traditional Christmas lights are a holiday classic, they also come with plenty of risks. A safer, more convenient option is permanent Christmas lighting. These lights stay up all year, so you can avoid using ladders or dealing with tricky wiring every season.
Benefits of Permanent Christmas Lights
Once a professional installs your lights, you don’t need to take them down each year. They use low-voltage power sources, making them much safer to handle, and LED lights stay cool, which reduces fire risks.
Designed to Last in All Weather
Permanent lights are made to withstand different types of weather, so they’re less likely to get damaged by rain or snow. Since they’re installed once, you avoid the yearly risks of setup and takedown, making them a safer choice over time.
A Safer Holiday With Permanent Christmas Lights
The holidays should be a joyful time, not one filled with accidents. Traditional Christmas lights may look lovely, but they also bring dangers that can damper your holiday cheer. Whether you choose traditional lights with added safety measures or make the switch to permanent lighting, understanding these risks will help you enjoy a bright, safe, and happy holiday season.
What Else Do You Need To Know Before Buying Permanent Christmas Lights?
After reading this article, you are probably beginning to think about replacing your traditional Christmas lights with safer permanent Christmas lights. But, you have a lot to consider before you make such a purchase.
Would you like to learn more about permanent Christmas lights so that you have the information you need to decide if buying them for your home is the right choice for your family? If you would, you will want to read this follow-up article Permanent Christmas Lights: What You Need To Know Before Buying.
With the information found here, you will be able to decide if replacing your old, less safe traditional Christmas lights with a permanent outdoor lighting solution is the right choice for your home.
