Holiday Extension Cord Safety!

Ty Zahrt
5 days ago
3 min read

The holiday season is here, and along with the joy that comes the dazzling Christmas lights. But every year 3,500 house fires are caused by improperly using extenstion cords and Christmas lights! We want to ensure that your able to have a safe and fun holiday. This week, we're diving into the essential safety tips for using extension cords and Christmas lights so you can have a fun and worry-free holiday season.

Selecting the Right Extension Cord

Choosing the right cord is the critical first step to ensuring safety. Don't just grab the cheapest make sure you grab the RIGHT one!

Check the Rating: Every extension cord has a rating for the amount of electricity it can safely handle. Make sure the cord is rated for the total wattage of the lights and decorations you plan to plug into it. Overloading a cord is one of the most common causes of electrical fires.
Indoor vs. Outdoor: Cords are designed specifically for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor cords are thicker, more durable, and resistant to moisture and temperature changes. Using an indoor cord outside is extremely dangerous.
- TIP: Always look for the "W" (Weatherproof) marking on outdoor cords, and consider a cord with a grounding pin (three prongs) for outdoor decorations.
The Power of the Plug: Never remove the third grounding pin (the round one) from a three-prong plug to make it fit a two-hole outlet. This defeats the safety purpose of the grounding feature.

Using Extension Cords Safely

Proper usage is just as important as proper selection. Here are some tips to keep your home safe:

Avoid "Daisy Chaining": Never plug one extension cord into another. This practice, known as "daisy chaining," significantly increases the risk of overloading the circuit and causing a fire. Use a single cord that is long enough for the job.
Don't Run Cords Under Rugs or Furniture: Hiding cords under carpets, rugs, or furniture is a major safety mistake.
- The Danger: It prevents heat from escaping, which can lead to overheating. It also exposes the cord to constant crushing, which can damage the insulation and create a shock or fire hazard.
Secure Cords Properly: Use clips, cable ties, or electrical tape to secure cords along baseboards or walls, but never use staples or nails, as this can pierce the cord's insulation and expose live wires.
Keep Away from Water and Snow: Even outdoor-rated cords should be kept out of standing water. Where possible, elevate connections and ensure they are covered or tucked away from direct rainfall or snow accumulation.

Christmas Light and Plug Safety

The festive lights themselves require a few extra safety considerations:

Inspect Before You Plug In: Before decorating, carefully inspect all light strands and cords for cracked sockets, frayed wires, or loose connections. Throw away any damaged sets immediately!
Outdoor ratings: To ensure your Christmas lights are safe for outdoor use, check for an outdoor-specific rating, like a water drop symbol or an IP 44 rating or higher, and look for UL-listed products.
Limit Connections: Most strands of lights recommend connecting no more than three sets end-to-end. Exceeding this limit can overload the first cord in the series.
Use Timers and Turn Them Off: Decorations should not run 24/7. Use a reliable timer or, at minimum, manually turn off all outdoor and tree lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

Don't Overload the Outlets!

Avoid Outlet Expanders: Using multi-plug adapters that allow you to plug five or six items into a standard two-hole outlet is asking for trouble. It concentrates the demand on one tiny spot, often leading to circuit overload.
Invest in Quality Power Strips: If you need to plug in multiple items, use a high-quality power stripwith a built-in circuit breaker. Remember, the strip is still limited by the power available from the wall outlet.

This holiday season, let safety be your number one priority. A little diligence with your extension cords can save your home and keep your family safe. If you have any concerns about your home's electrical capacity for your holiday display, don't hesitate to contact us for our advice!