When choosing holiday lighting for your home, there are many factors to consider. These factors include safety, placement, and cost. Here are some tips to help you make a decision. You can also get ideas for different types of lights that will complement your home’s style. We hope this article will help you find the right holiday lighting for your home.
Safety issues
Holiday lights are a popular way to decorate homes, but they can be dangerous if used improperly. Many people string up long strands of lights around bushes and trees. This creates a dangerous heat condition and can even burn a home down. In fact, 30 percent of all home fires occur during the holiday season, so safety is an extremely important consideration when using lights.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), holiday lights are the cause of 250 home fires each year, causing over $16 million in damage and personal injuries. Fire departments respond to hundreds of calls each year regarding house fires started by decorative lighting. Using extension cords to plug in holiday lights is another potential source of electrical danger. The Electrical Safety Foundation also reports that four thousand people are injured by extension cords each December. While these numbers may seem alarming, they can be prevented by following safety protocols.
Holiday lights should never be left on unattended. You should also ensure that someone is at home to keep an eye on them if there is a fire. If you find that some of the lights are charred, you should remove them immediately and replace them with new ones. Also, make sure to use only lights that are of the appropriate wattage and type.
Cost
There are a number of factors to consider when calculating the cost of holiday lighting. One of the biggest factors is the amount of electricity you use. During December, holiday lights can add up to 10% to your monthly utility bill. You can save money on electricity by switching to energy efficient lights. These include LEDs, rope lighting, and fiber-optic cabling.
Hiring a professional holiday lighting installation service will cost about $250 to $600, which includes labor and lights. The cost will vary, depending on the number of stories and the number of light strands. You may also want to include the cost of lighting fixtures, which can run you another $1.25 to $3 per foot.
Choosing your holiday lighting style will also influence the cost. Traditional strands of incandescent lights cost between $5 and $20 per strand. These are available in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. They also tend to last longer than other types of lighting.
Placement
Before choosing where to place your holiday lighting, think about the way it will appear from the street. Placements that are visible from the street can help you attract more people to your home. Holiday lighting creates a soft glow on your walkway, which guests will appreciate. You may want to use solar powered lights or a candle if you’re concerned about fire safety.
When placing your lights, keep in mind that some HOAs limit the number of feet of lights allowed on your property. Usually, this limit ranges from 100 to 200 feet. If your lights are too long, they can cause a fire, and that can be very dangerous. In fact, 44% of all Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical equipment.
Holiday lighting should highlight the best features of your home. It can emphasize a peaked roof line, a statement front door, or an eye-catching landscape feature. Line your roofline with lights, as well, and your home will look elegant and inviting. You can also highlight important areas such as the gutter line, front door, and main entrance.
