Outdoor Christmas Lights: A Buying Guide

Outdoor Christmas lights may be part of the holiday tradition, but according to the United States government they cause up to 16 million dollars worth of fire damage each year. Choosing the right type of outdoor Christmas lights and keeping them in good repair greatly diminishes the chance that your lighting could cause damage to your home.

Purchase Christmas Lights Rated for Outdoor Use

When buying outdoor Christmas lights be sure to purchase lights marked for exterior use. This lights will be manufactured to withstand tough winter weather and are often sturdier than indoor variety lights. Look for outdoor Christmas lights that have been tested by an independent laboratory: a UL or ETL symbol indicates that the lights have met the minimum requirements set forth by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Look for LED Lights

LED outdoor Christmas lights are more energy efficient and far safer than their traditional counterparts. Often called mini lights, be sure to check the box to make sure that they are truly LEDs. LED outdoor Christmas lights also offer a variety of fun options for homeowners, such as lights that sync to music or blink in specific patterns.

Find Replacement Bulbs Now

Be sure to purchase outdoor Christmas lights with replaceable bulbs. No matter how carefully you care for your lights, a few bulbs will burn out each year. For this reason, purchase a package of replacement bulbs when you buy your strings of lights and keep them in a safe location. Each year, before put up lights and before you store your outdoor lights, plug in each strand and check for bulbs that should be replaced.

Look for Fuses in Case of a Short

Purchase outdoor Christmas lights that have a fuse in the plug. A simple fuse can alert you to a problem and prevent electrocution or fire damage to your home. Also, be sure that all of your outdoor Christmas lights are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter electrical socket to further reduce the chance of fire.

Combine Different Light Types

In order to create a truly memorable display, consider purchasing several types of outdoor Christmas lights. LED spotlights, for example, can be combined with more traditional lighting strands to emphasize certain portions of the decorations. If you have shrubbery or trees in your yard, consider outdoor lighting nets that easily cover the foliage with very little stringing required.

Sources:

"Tips for Safely Installing Christmas Lights." Utah State University

Brouhard, Rod. "Christmas Light Safety." About.com