8 Outdoor Holiday Decorating Safety Tips for a Festive Season

Outdoor lights and decorations are a fun way to add a little holiday cheer to your home. Before you start hanging lights or setting up decorations around the yard, take some time to plan ahead and keep safety in mind.

Here are a few tips to help you safely set up and enjoy your outdoor display throughout the holiday season.

1. Check Lights and Cords Before Using Them: If your holiday decorations have been in storage since last season, give them a quick inspection before putting them up. Check light strands and extension cords for frayed or exposed wires, cracked insulation, broken sockets, and loose or damaged bulbs. Replace any damaged items before use.

   For anything you plan to use outside, check the packaging or product label to make sure it’s rated for outdoor use. Outdoor-rated lights and extension cords are designed to withstand weather conditions that indoor products are not.

2. Plan How You’ll Power Your Display: Before plugging in your display, consider how your lights and decorations will be powered. Connecting too many decorations to a single outlet or circuit can overload it, so check the manufacturer’s instructions for how many light strands can safely be connected.

   Outdoor electrical decorations should also be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected outlet. A GFCI is designed to shut off power when it detects a ground fault, reducing the risk of electric shock, especially in areas where moisture is present.

3. Check the Weather Before You Decorate: Rain, snow, ice, and strong winds can make outdoor decorating more difficult, especially when using a ladder. When possible, choose a dry, calm day to put up your decorations.

   Before setting up a ladder, check the ground around you. Place it on a firm, level surface and clear away wet leaves, ice, or other debris that could make the area slippery or unstable.

4. Use the Right Ladder for the Job: Make sure your ladder is tall enough to comfortably reach the area you’re decorating and place it on a stable, level surface. If something is just out of reach, climb down and reposition the ladder instead of leaning or stretching from the side. Avoid standing on the top step and consider having someone nearby to help while you work.

   While a chair or other piece of furniture might seem convenient for a quick decorating job, always use a sturdy ladder or step stool designed for the task.

5. Look Out for Overhead Power Lines: Before decorating your roof, trees, or other elevated areas, look for nearby overhead power lines. Remember that the electrical service line connecting to your home may also be close to where you’re working.

   Keep yourself, your ladder, lights, and equipment a safe distance from overhead power lines. Never position a ladder where it could come into contact with a power line.

6. Keep Cords and Decorations Out of the Way: As you plan your display, keep in mind how family members, neighbors, and delivery drivers move around the outside of your home. Keep extension cords, stakes, and decorations away from sidewalks, steps, driveways, and entrances where they could create a tripping hazard.

   Avoid running cords through doors or windows where they could become pinched or damaged. When hanging lights, use clips or hooks designed for the job instead of nails, staples, or other methods that could damage the cord.

7. Check Your Display Throughout the Season: Once installed, your decorations may be exposed to wind, rain, snow, and changing temperatures for several weeks.

   Secure inflatables and other lightweight decorations according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After strong winds or severe weather, check for any decorations that have shifted, loose stakes or ties, or electrical components that may have been damaged.

8. Turn Decorations Off When They’re Not Needed: Before going to bed or leaving home, turn off your outdoor lights and electrical decorations. You can also use an outdoor-rated timer or smart plug to put your lights on a schedule, so they don’t stay on longer than needed.

Safely Enjoy the Holiday Season

Decorating outdoors is one of the many ways to make your home feel festive for the holidays. By inspecting your decorations, planning your setup, and checking on your display throughout the season, you can enjoy the festivities more safely.

As you plan for the holiday season, consider reviewing your energy supply plan. Explore AEP Energy’s rates and plans to find an option that offers more predictability during this busy season and throughout the year ahead.

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