To decorate safely, use lights and extension cords rated for outdoor use outside, plug them into GFCI-protected outdoor outlets with in-use covers, choose LED strands, don’t connect more strands than the package allows, keep plugs and connections up off snow and puddles, and put displays on a timer. Indoors, keep lights away from drapes and heat sources and turn them off when you go to bed or leave. Here’s a checklist from Eggers Electric, a locally owned Loveland electrician since 1973.
Before you hang anything
- Check every strand for cracked sockets, frayed wires and loose connections. Throw away damaged sets.
- Look for a safety certification mark, like UL or ETL, on lights and cords.
- Read the package for the maximum number of strands you can connect end to end.
- Plan where each run will plug in so you aren’t stacking everything on one outlet.
Outdoor displays
- Use only lights and extension cords marked for outdoor use.
- Plug into GFCI-protected outdoor outlets with in-use (bubble) covers that stay closed with a cord plugged in. See GFCI outlets.
- Keep connections off the ground: snowmelt and puddles are a common reason holiday lights trip a GFCI along the Front Range.
- Use plastic clips, not nails or staples, to hang lights.
- Stay well clear of overhead power lines and the service drop to your house.
- Put the display on a timer or smart plug rated for outdoor use.
Indoors and the tree
- LED strands run much cooler and use far less power than older incandescent sets.
- Water a real tree daily; a dry tree catches fire easily. Keep it away from heat registers, fireplaces and space heaters.
- Don’t run cords under rugs or through doorways, where they can be pinched or damaged.
- Turn lights off when you go to bed or leave the house.
Inflatables and projectors
Inflatables run a blower motor all night, so give them their own outdoor outlet where you can, stake them well against wind, and keep the blower and plug up off wet ground. Light projectors are low-wattage but still need an outdoor-rated cord and a GFCI outlet. Unplug inflatables before a big snowstorm; a collapsed, snow-loaded inflatable can damage the blower.
Signs your outlets can’t keep up
If your outdoor outlet trips every time the lights come on, a breaker trips when the display and a space heater run together, or a plug or outlet feels warm, stop using that setup. You may need a dedicated outdoor circuit or a new GFCI outlet where you decorate. We can add outdoor outlets with GFCI protection where you decorate, and exterior lighting for the rest of the year.
Northern Colorado weather
Wind, snow and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on holiday displays in Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor and Berthoud. Secure inflatables and cords so wind can’t drag them, check connections after storms, and take displays down promptly so cords aren’t left out for months.
Get help before the season
If you want an outdoor outlet where you need it, or a quick check of your outlets and panel, Schedule Service or call 970-669-1883, 7 days a week, 7am–8pm. Our $89 Eggers Safety Inspection is credited toward your job when you go ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my outdoor Christmas lights keep tripping the outlet?
Usually moisture in a plug, connection or the outlet, especially after snow or rain. Lift connections off the ground and dry them. If it keeps tripping, have the GFCI and outlet checked.
How many strands of lights can I connect together?
Follow the maximum printed on the package or tag; it varies by strand. LED sets usually allow more strands than incandescent sets.
Can I use indoor lights outside?
No. Use lights and cords rated for outdoor use; indoor sets aren’t built for moisture and cold.