Even after the holidays, many homeowners and business owners in Virginia Beach opt to keep up colorful string lights in an effort to add some cheery color and light to the snowy landscape and raise morale for customers and employees alike. However, it’s important to be careful and follow some basic safety tips with string lights. There is little that will ruin the festive cheer faster than an unfortunate electrical accident. Here are a few ways to be safe when putting up string lights this winter:
- Don’t Reuse Faulty Lights
It can be tempting to overlook minor fraying or scorch marks to avoid having to replace a string of lights, especially if it happens to be rather long and expensive. However, the presence of such elements indicates the risk of sparking or excessive dangerous heat in certain places, which could lead to a fire. It’s best to stay on the safe side and get rid of any faulty lights.
- Ensure You Have the Appropriate Lights for the Setting
Not all lights are rated for outdoor use, and putting indoor lights outside could put you in danger the moment it starts to rain or snow. The same goes for extension cords. Make sure you have the right lights and cords before decorating.
- Skip the Staple Gun
It may seem like a convenient solution to hang up your lights outside with a staple gun, but it’s easy to accidentally nick the wires in the process, which is a fire hazard. Instead, there are a variety of clip-on solutions available to help hang your lights.
- Protect Your Plugs
Once you have everything set up outside, you might be tempted to call it a day. However, taking the extra time to secure your outdoor plugs will go a long way towards keeping you safe. Wrapping them in a plastic bag sealed with weatherproof tape is a great way to ensure they aren’t exposed to the elements.
If you’re looking for something extra special this season, Nipper Electric can help. In addition to traditional lighting solutions, our technicians are experienced in the installation of customized specialty lighting. To get started, simply fill out our online form or give us a call at 757-842-1710.
