It is the holiday season in Memphis, TN. What a wonderful time of year to gather with friends and family and adorn your home with all the sights and sounds of the holidays.  However, amid all the excitement, don’t forget to use good safety practices when decorating. For peace of mind knowing that your home is safe from electrical fires, use these tips when hanging the holiday lights.

Outdoor Lighting Safety Tips

People in Memphis, TN love to decorate their homes with lights. But before you start, check the cords for damage.  If they are damaged, do not use them.  Any extension cords used should be labeled for outdoor use.  Make sure that your plugs have circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).  You can purchase portable ones if your home does not have GFCI protected circuits.

Fasten outdoor lights securely to protect them from wind damage.  But be careful not to pierce the cord as it will damage its insulation.  Avoid decorating near power lines and make sure that lights and cords are not resting in standing water.

Indoor Lighting Safety Tips

Indoor lighting should meet similar safety requirements as outdoor lighting.  They should be purchased from a reputable source and inspected for damage before use.  Incandescent lights should have no more than three strands strung together.

Before you begin to decorate inside with lights, check to see how many outlets are available for use and plan accordingly.  Do not overload your outlets with lights and other electrical decorations as this can cause a fire.  Turn your lights off when you are away from home or going to sleep for the night.

By following these simple safety tips, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is well-protected against disastrous holiday electrical fires.