Christmas Lights—Tips & Safety (November 24, 2001):

Now that we have Thanksgiving out of the way many of us are beginning to put up Christmas lights. This time of the year can be very rewarding yet very stressful. Here are some tips to help take the stress out of putting up Christmas lights.

Christmas lights can cause a fire if not put up properly. First of all make sure the lights you buy are UL listed and don't automatically buy the cheapest lights. Is it worth burning down your house to save a few dollars? Is it worth the frustration of putting up the light and find out they don't work or only work for a few days? When selecting lights, be sure the box says that if one bulb goes out they won’t all go out. There are some cheap lights out there that if one bulb burns out or becomes loose they all go out. You end up wasting more time trying to find the bad bulb than the whole string is worth. They’ll just cause more frustration that you don't need. Also make sure that every string of lights has a male plug on one end and a female plug on the other so you can hook several strings together. Make sure you read the package and know how many strings you can hook together end to end. This is usually only about three. Buy long enough strings to run the distance you need. Make sure if you are using them outdoors that you buy outdoor strings. Most outdoor strings can also be used indoors, but NEVER use indoor lights outdoors. Did you know that most outdoor light sets are designed for about 90 days of outdoor use? The coating on the cords will start deteriorating after 90 days out in the sunlight and cold. It is best to put them up when you are ready to use them and take them down as soon as the holiday season is over. Remember, before you put any lights up inside or outside that you inspect them for broken wires, cracks in the insulation, and make sure the plastic insulation is not stiff and brittle. If they have any of these problems, throw them out and replace them.

Every year we get lots of people come in the store that already have their Christmas lights up but need a double male end plug. They have the female end of the string of lights by the wall outlet that is also a female end. They think all they need is a plug that has double male ends on it. There isn’t a double end male plug available on the market because they are dangerous. If someone has made you one, get rid of it, you are asking for trouble. It can shock someone, short out on tinsel or any metal it comes in contact with it and cause a fire, and it can also cause a fire or shock if it gets wet. Take your time when stringing up your lights and lay them all out with the male ends all facing one way and the female ends the other. Plug them in and test them before you put them up to see if you have burnt out bulbs or other problems with the strings. Start at the top of the tree and make sure you have the female end at the top. When you need another string, plug the female end into the male that you have and go on from there. You will end up with a male end to plug in to the wall or extension cord. If you like to start at the bottom, make sure you start with the male end and go on from there.

For our complete "Christmas Lights Tips & Safety" Tip Sheet go to our contact page and request it. We will be happy to email or mail it to you. All of us at Home Hardware wish you and your family a very happy and safe holiday season.