Get Holiday Lights Ready Early
The holiday season is nearing, and that means shopping, baking, and putting up holiday decor. As many Sooke residents start decorating their homes with Christmas lights, local electricians offer advice on types of holiday lights and decor to display and how to stay safe while decorating this holiday season.
Incandescent vs. LED Holiday Lights
When purchasing holiday lights, homeowners must choose between incandescent and LED Christmas lights. Homeowners might opt for incandescent Christmas lights for various reasons, including:
- They are typically cheaper to purchase than LED lights
- They give off a warm and traditional glow
However, they also have some negative traits. They use more energy than LEDs, have a shorter lifespan, and can become hot while turned on. Another issue with incandescent Christmas lights is if one bulb fails, the entire strand can fail. There are many benefits to selecting LED lights for holiday decor, including:
- They are highly energy-efficient
- They have a longer lifespan
- They are safer since they do not give off as much heat as incandescent lights
Although LED lighting costs more upfront, it is more cost-effective in the long term since it uses less energy and lasts much longer without needing replacement.
Creating a Holiday Display
When homeowners put up their holiday displays, they will likely add lights to the inside and outside of their houses, and they can choose from numerous types of lights for their household’s display. Some common types of outdoor Christmas lights and decor include:
- Strands of lights: Lighting strands are often used for roof lines and balconies
- Net lighting: Net lighting can be used to add lighting to bushes and shrubs easily
- Tree wrap lights: These are similar to net lighting but made to be wrapped around trees
- Holiday inflatables: These large inflatables come in many styles and can decorate yards and other outdoor areas
- Icicle lights: These lighting strands mimic the appearance of icicles hanging from eaves or rooflines
- Projector lights: These lights can project patterns and images onto surfaces of a home, like the side of a house or a garage door
Don’t Forget Electrical Safety
When property owners decorate their homes for the holidays, it’s essential for them to recognize the electrical threats these decorations pose and to take safety precautions to avoid electrical hazards and injuries. Some risks damaged lights and holiday decorations and the improper installation of lights can pose to households include fire hazards and electrical shocks.
To prevent these risks, electricians recommend that homeowners take the following precautions when putting up Christmas decorations and lights:
- Use the correct types of lights, including using indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside
- Check the electric decorations and lights for wire damage and other issues before using them
- Don’t overload circuits and outlets with too many cords and plugs
- Keep holiday decor away from flammable materials or heat sources
- Turn lights and outdoor Christmas decorations off at night
About Sasquatch Home Services
Sasquatch Home Services is a locally owned and operated heating, air conditioning, and electrical company serving Sooke and the surrounding areas. They offer flat-rate pricing, on-time service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical services in Sooke, BC.
