Hidden Dangers of DIY Outdoor Christmas Lights

If you’re reading this, the chances are good that you might be planning to hang your own holiday lights this season. As fun as it can be to decorate and hang outdoor Christmas lights, it’s important to remember that there are a lot of ways that you can damage your home and yourself in the process.

At Mobile Illumination we have the training and safety protocols in place to avoid injuries and to prevent unnecessary damages. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year hospital emergency rooms treat around 12,500 people for injuries like falls, cuts and electrical shocks, all related to holiday lights and decorations. As a well-intentioned homeowner, you may not be fully prepared to take on the momentous task of Christmas lighting and decorating. Here’s our list of reasons why we recommend you hire professionals this year to do the job.

Fire Hazards

Fire hazards are no doubt a possible danger when hanging holiday lights. It’s important to only use outdoor lights outside. Indoor lights are not safe to use outside. Outdoor Holiday lights will have an IP rating and this number indicates how weatherproof the light is – a higher number means a better weatherproof rating. There are some outdoor Christmas lights that require the transformer to be located indoors and away from any exposed weather elements. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions.

Our experts know when to use solar powered lights, LED, or extra-low-voltage lights (12V or 24V) when designing your project. Our expertise prevents possible electric shock and overheating. Additionally, flood lights, halogen lights, and other high powered lights can run extremely hot so it’s important to decorate these areas with caution; anything in contact with these lights runs a risk of catching fire.

Electrical Shock

Electrical shock is another potential danger when using multiple high-powered lights/lamps, which can cause electrical circuits to overload. It’s also important to protect outdoor electrical sockets from water and debris to prevent shock or equipment damage. Ensuring your outdoor lights are plugged into a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) to reduce the risk of electrical shortages/shocks, and using only factory-made extension leads or those made by a licensed electrical contractor, is common knowledge for our professionals.

Fall Hazard

It’s no secret that many enthusiastic homeowners have suffered from lingering back pain as a result from hanging their Christmas lights, but other problems like bodily injuries and fatal falls can occur as well. Our team uses proper equipment for climbing and for reaching those difficult areas. Extension ladders, skid proof shoes, proper tools, following manufacturer’s instructions, and choosing where to safely decorate your home, are part of our team’s preparations when starting a holiday project.

Our team at Mobile Illumination keeps track of holiday product recalls too! Handling defective decorations can be a cause of injury, not to mention a choking hazard for young children. The quality and proper use of holiday decor is an important consideration when decorating your home.

Property Damage

As a homeowner, damage to your home or an injury on property, can cause insurance premiums to skyrocket. Hanging Christmas lights using tacks, staples, or nails can damage your roof. While shortcuts, misuse of equipment, frayed wires and cords, and improper removal, could potentially damage your home too. Fortunately, our trained professionals take all the precautions to protect your home and property when hanging your holiday lights.

At Mobile Illumination, we know the importance of safety and training. When you hire us to install your Christmas lights and decorations, you receive all the benefits and none of the risks! To learn more, give us a call at 800.840.1777 or click here to contact Mobile Illumination.