This Is When You Should Turn Your Christmas Lights Off Each Night—Plus, Other Seasonal Fire Safety Tips
Whether they're displayed in your front yard or wrapped around your tree, Christmas lights make the holiday season extra bright. However, the stunning decorations don't come without their safety risks.
Fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 160 home fires every holiday season from 2015 to 2019—lighting equipment and electrical distribution accounted for nearly half of those blazes, according to the National Fire Protection Association. No matter where on your property Christmas lights are displayed, it's important to be vigilant when it comes to fire safety around the holidays. We talked to the experts so you know exactly how to attend to your lights this year.
Related: 16 of the Most Magical Christmas Light Displays Around the Country
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When to Turn Off the Lights
If Christmas lights are left on for too long, they can get hot and become a fire hazard. For this reason, turn your lights off when you go to sleep or leave your home, says Sharon Cooksey, fire safety educator at Kidde. She also recommends purchasing a timer that will turn the lights off automatically in case you forget. "The combination of the power requirements and heat from lights and the potential flammability of a tree cause us to urge caution with the use of lights," she says.
Be Mindful of the Light Type You Buy
Beyond turning your lights off when you sleep or leave the house, there are other steps you can take to ensure you're practicing fire safety during the holiday season. Cooksey recommends only purchasing lights that are approved by a recognized testing laboratory.
Check the Labels
Look for lights labeled with UL, this means the product has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories for fire and electrical safety. After ensuring the lights are lab tested, make sure they're labeled according to what you'll be using them for—indoor lights must be rated for indoor use and should not be hung outside. Cooksey also suggests purchasing LED iterations, which emit less heat than incandescent ones. Not only do they pose less of a fire hazard, but LED lights are also more energy-efficient than other alternatives.
Be Diligent When Hanging Them
Prior to hanging your lights, be sure to read the box completely, says Michael McLeieer, fire safety expert and president of ESCAPE Inc. "Some lights or wiring may overheat and catch on fire if misused or overloaded—or if people don't follow the manufacturer's instructions," he adds.
Follow Light-Plugging Best Practices
The instructions will indicate how many light strings can be combined, but as a general rule, fire safety experts recommend plugging in no more than three light strings at a time. McLeieer also recommends checking the bulbs and wiring to make sure they are free of breaks or cracks before installation. You should also be mindful of electrical sockets. "Overloading outlets and extension cords can cause the outlets to overheat and may cause a fire," Cooksey says.
