Safety Tips - Outdoor Holiday Lighting
- Look for the CSA mark: Ensure that light strings, cords, spotlights and floodlights are certified by CSA International and marked for outdoor use.
- Turn off, plug in. Before working with outdoor wiring, turn off the electricity to the supply outlet and unplug the connection.
- When hanging lights outdoors, keep electrical connectors above ground, out of puddles and snow, and away from metal eaves troughs.
- Use insulated fasteners rather than metal nails or tacks to hold light strings in place.
- Remove outdoor lights within two weeks after the holidays so that they are not damaged by extended exposure to harsh weather conditions.
- Use an outdoor timer certified by CSA International to switch lights on and off. Lights should be turned on after 7 p.m. to avoid the electricity rush hour.
- Use the proper receptacles. Whenever possible, connect all outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI). These can provide protection from electric shock by sensing ground leakage and cutting electrical power.