We tend to put up our Christmas lights and forget about them. I would guess that most people don't even think about the danger that Christmas pose. Is there a real danger when we decorate our house with Christmas lights?
A CBS article indicates that an estimated $9 million in damage is created from holiday lights. Yes this data is a bit old, but if I had to guess I would say that that figure is a bit higher now.
The article goes on to say that they tested a tree with lights that had a frayed wire. Within a few seconds the tree smoked and caught fire.
This test goes to show the importance of doing a complete check of your lights before stringing them on the tree or around the house. All that it takes is just one faulty wire and your house could quickly be up in flames.
How else do you prevent a fire? You can buy artificial Christmas trees that resist fire. You can also turn off your lights when you are not around, especially when you go to bed. It is also a good practice not to pack an outlet with more than it can handle. This is easy to do during the holday season, but it can be dangerous. Lastly, you should make sure that are purchasing lights, cords, and so on from trusted sources. Avoid buying from suspect sources on the internet or from used source where you do not know what you are getting.
In conclusion, Christmas lights do present a real danger. While this should not ruin your Christmas, you should take the appropriate precautious to help deter potential serious problems. I like to be super cautious given the risks. I hope this article has inspired people to be at least a bit more aware when it come to their Christmas light.
