Make Sure Your Holiday Lights Sparkle Without Sparking

If you’re stringing lights along your roofline, you’re already familiar with the risk of being up that high. But the electricity involved with holiday lights can be just as dangerous. Using GFCI-protected outlets, checking your extension cords, and keeping the plug out of the gutter can all help.

GFCI (or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protection is especially important when considering exterior holiday lights. Because the lights and electrical cords are exposed to the elements, they have a higher chance of weather damage. GFCI outlets shut the circuit down if they sense the power isn’t going where it should because they assume it’s going through you.

Once you know your lights are safe, you can choose from a wide range of lighting options. LED lights are common because they use less electricity and don’t heat up as much. That means you can run a lot more in series before it would cause a problem. They also tend to be brighter and have more consistent light.

On top of that, there are several other ways you can upgrade your holiday lights. You can turn your lights at set times with timers, or from an app on your phone. You can program some to be different colors depending on the holiday. Some options even synchronize with music!