The holiday season is upon us and it’s the perfect time to brighten up our homes with decorative lighting. Not only does it bring joy to see a pretty array of sparkling lights, but they also liven up the shorter days that we experience during the fall and winter.
However, that joy could soon turn to disaster if you make one of the seven common mistakes with your holiday lighting. Instead of enjoying the festivities, you could be dealing with a house fire.
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“Safety isn’t about avoiding decorations,” says Hommer Zhao, custom wire harness and cable assembly expert and CEO at Wiringo, “it’s about spotting problems early and fixing them before they cause real damage.”
1. Connecting old and new light strands together
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You might be tempted to mix older lights with a newer set, but this is not a safe choice, as Zhao explains that it can overload circuits or overheat plugs, especially when you exceed the manufacturer’s connection limit.
What to do instead
To ensure you stay safe, Zhao recommends you never connect light sets together and that you always use the right equipment. For outside lights, this means using only outdoor-rated plugs, extension cords and one of the best outdoor smart plugs for exterior displays.
At Tom’s Guide, we recommend the TP-Link Tapo Smart Outdoor Plug P400M, $23 at Amazon, as the best overall in our buying guide. What’s more, you can set the lights to turn on at sunset or sunrise, so they automatically adjust the time each day.
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2. Running lights through closed windows or doors
The danger of placing lights through closed windows and doors can result in pinched cords. Zhao says, “This can crack insulation and expose live wires, creating a hidden short-circuit risk that can easily spark fires.”
What to do instead
Avoid placing wires through doors or windows where they can get pinched or overheated. Instead, connect the lights via a protected outdoor socket.
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It can be tricky to know how to best hang decorative lights both inside and outside your home. However, Zhao warns against using nails or staples to secure the cords. “Stapling or nailing cords can pierce the wire insulation, creating invisible points of contact that may arc or spark later,” he says.
What to do instead
Rather than using nails and pins, you could use the Command Indoor Mini Light Clips, $14 at Walmart. They are ideal for hanging decorations, lights and cable, without damaging your walls.
4. Trusting UL or ETL labels on cheap imports
“Counterfeit safety marks are common on low-cost holiday lights, and uncertified wiring or insulation can melt or short out after hours of use,” says Zhao.
In this situation, he warns against trusting labels that are not what they seem.
“High-quality lighting products are built under strict manufacturing standards that regulate wire thickness, insulation, and heat resistance,” explains Zhao, “These standards ensure cables can handle continuous use without overheating or short-circuiting.
“Unfortunately, many cheap or untested imports skip these quality checks or use counterfeit safety labels, and that’s when a simple decoration can become a serious fire hazard.”
What to do instead
Buy a brand you trust rather than a cheap import, and ensure the lights have recognized UL or ETL labels, which indicate they have been properly tested.
5. Hiding cords under rugs or furniture
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Another common trick is to hide cords under carpets and rugs or behind furniture. But Zhao advises against it, saying, “They can overheat faster and can fray unnoticed, turning a small wire fault into a serious fire hazard.”
What to do instead
Avoid placing wires and cords under fabrics, and use small clips, like the ones mentioned above, to secure them against interior walls. This will also prevent them from becoming a trip hazard.
6. Indoor humidity
The extra humidity in our homes during fall and winter can lead to increased moisture and dampness. Unfortunately, when lighting cables are placed near windows and skirting boards, they are more susceptible to corrosion caused by damp conditions. Zhao explains that this problem can increase the risk of a short circuit.
What to do instead
If your home is prone to dampness during the holiday season or at any other time of year, you can balance the humidity by investing in one of the best dehumidifiers. A good dehumidifier will remove humidity and condensation, eliminating mold.
7. Tangled cables
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“Overlapping or tightly coiled wires trap heat and wear out faster, especially when hidden behind furniture or curtains,” says Zhao.
How you store your lights can also be an issue, “Folding or bending cables after the holidays weakens insulation, leaving cracks that may not be visible next year,” he adds.
What to do instead
There’s a simple remedy. Ensure your cables are stretched out when in use to avoid tangles, and instead of discarding them into storage at the end of the season, carefully wrap the wires around a coil.
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