How to Hang Holiday Lights Safely

Holiday lights make the house look great, but damaged strands and overloaded cords can start fires. Here's how to hang them safely, using the Consumer Product Safety Commission's tips.

1. Step 1: Check The Label

Buy lights that were tested by a safety lab, like U L or E T L. Look for their mark on the box or the tag. For the outside of the house, the label needs to say outdoor use.

2. Step 2: Inspect Every Strand

Before you hang anything, plug each strand in on the ground, and look it over. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections? Throw that strand away. Do this even with brand new ones.

3. Step 3: Don'T Overload

Don't chain too many strands together. Check the package for the maximum. For older, regular bulbs, it's often only about three. Use an extension cord rated for the job, and outdoor rated cords outside.

4. Step 4: Outside? Use A Gfci Outlet

Plug outdoor lights into a G F C I outlet. That's the kind with test and reset buttons. It shuts off the power if something goes wrong.

5. Step 5: Clips, Not Nails

Hang them with plastic light clips, not nails or staples, which can cut into the wire. And on a ladder, read its warning labels, keep three points of contact, and don't lean out too far.