Although Christmas tree lights are an important part of holiday tradition and celebration they can also become a very serious fire hazard and safety concern. Here are 5 tips you can use to avoid potential holiday hazards and ensure that your house, family and belongings are safe all through the Christmas season.
Tip #1: When a bulb burns out; do not leave the socket empty. Empty bulb sockets are dangerous for more than one reason. One they can become a fire hazard by getting too hot next to the dry branches of the tree. The second reason is even though the socket is small; it can still produce enough of an electrical current to cause bodily harm. To avoid any unnecessary injuries replace burnt out bulbs with those which are in working order.
Tip #2: Be aware of how dry your tree branches are. Christmas trees are one of the leading causes of house fires. By ensuring that your tree has an adequate amount of water each day, you can prevent your tree from becoming flammable and you can rest easy knowing that your Christmas tree lights are not a danger to you or your home.
Tip #3: Be sure to read your Christmas light’s packaging instructions. Not all lights can be used to light a real Christmas tree. Never use outdoor string lights, or any lights which will become hot when left on for a lengthy period of time. Lights which are safe to use on a tree will be marked clearly by the manufacturer and should be displayed separately from outdoor lights in your local department store.
Tip #4: Many times it is not the actual Christmas tree lights which cause holiday tragedies but the additional extension cords. If you need to run an extension cord to plug in your Christmas tree lights make sure that the cord is in good working order and that the wire coverings are not brittle or broken.
Tip #5: If you are unsure whether or not your older Christmas tree lights are safe to use, dispose of them and purchase new lights and bulbs. This may seem expensive, especially around the holidays but it is important to consider the circumstances and potential cost if the worst were to happen. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is peace of mind and security.