Fire Official Says To Hang Holiday Lights With Plastic Clips Instead Of Nails Or Staples, And Keep Live Christmas Trees At Least Three Feet From Any Heat Source

Before you climb the ladder and start stringing the lights, a Missouri fire official has a few words for you. Tim Clarkson, assistant chief of the Logan-Rogersville Fire Protection District, says hang your holiday lights with plastic clips instead of nails or staples, and keep live Christmas trees at least three feet from any heat source.

String lights strung along the edge of a roof.

Those two tips sound simple, and they prevent the sort of trouble that turns a festive weekend into a fire call. Here is his full checklist, plus a few extras for good measure.

Skip The Nails And Staples, Reach For Plastic Clips

Use lights rated for outdoor use, and attach them with plastic fasteners. Nails and staples can damage the wiring, and a nicked wire is a spark waiting to happen.

Clips are cheap and they come in shapes made for gutters, shingles and railings. They also come off in seconds when it is time to take the display down in January, without leaving holes.

If you are tempted to use a staple gun because it is quick, put it back in the toolbox. A little patience with a clip is better than a damaged strand.

Indoor Cords Stay Indoors, Outdoor Cords Stay Outdoors

Use indoor extension cords indoors and outdoor cords outdoors. As Clarkson puts it, “Anything that’s outside is designed for that element.”

An outdoor cord is built to handle rain, cold and sunlight. An indoor cord is not, and moisture getting into a connection can cause a short or a shock.

Keep connections out of low spots where water collects. A plug lying in a puddle or a snowbank is trouble, so raise it up on a dry spot or use a weatherproof cover.

Test Your Ladder On The First Few Rungs

Falls are a bigger risk than fires at this time of year. Set the ladder on level ground, and before you climb, step onto the first few rungs to check that it will not shift, especially if you are on grass.

Have another person outside with you in case you fall or the ladder slips. It does not have to be a professional. A spouse, a neighbor or a teenager with a phone will do.

Wear shoes with a good grip, keep your body inside the rails, and move the ladder rather than leaning. If the wind picks up or the ground is icy, wait for another day.

Check How Many Strands You Can Link Together

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how many light strands can be connected end to end. Overloading a string can overheat the wires.

The limit is usually printed on a tag near the plug or on the box. If you have thrown the box away, look up the model online or choose a different set.

Never plug a long chain of old strands into a single outlet just because they fit. A power strip with a built-in circuit breaker is a better choice when you need more outlets.

Toss Strands With Cracked Insulation Or Stiff Wires

Look at your older lights before you hang them. If the insulation is cracked or deteriorated, or the lights feel stiff, recycle or discard them and buy new ones.

Plug in each strand on the ground and check for dead bulbs, frayed cords and warm spots. A strand that gets hot to the touch should go straight to the recycling bin.

Many hardware stores and recycling centers take old holiday lights, and some run drives in January. It is a good way to clear out a drawer, too.

LEDs Run Cooler And Go Easier On Your Electric Bill

Clarkson points out that LED lights run cooler than the old halogen-style bulbs. They can also lower your electric bill, which matters when you are lighting up the whole house.

LEDs usually last longer, and they let you connect more strands to one outlet in many cases, as long as you follow the maker’s limit. They are a fine upgrade, and a good thing to put on sale lists after the holidays.

Keep Your Live Tree Watered And Three Feet From Heat

Keep a live Christmas tree watered and at least three feet from any heat source. That includes fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents and candles.

A dry tree burns fast. Cut a fresh slice off the base of the trunk before you put it in the stand, and check the water every day, because a fresh tree can drink a surprising amount in the first week.

Put the tree in a spot where it does not block a door or a hallway. If you have pets or small grandchildren visiting, make sure the stand is stable and the cords are out of reach.

Turn off your lights when you leave the house and when you go to bed. A timer is a handy way to do it without thinking.

A Short List To Tape Inside The Closet Door

Before the holidays begin, test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure there is a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Plan the display on paper, with a count of strands and outlets, before you drag out the ladder. A plan keeps you from overloading a circuit, and it saves a lot of trips up and down.

Enjoy the glow, and then take the lights down when the season is over, so that outdoor wiring does not sit in the weather all year. A bit of care now means the holidays stay merry, and nobody has to meet the fire department in a bathrobe. For general tips, see the National Fire Protection Association’s holiday safety page.

Willow and Hearth