Don’t be a Clark Griswold out there putting up holiday lighting as shown in National Lampoon’s movie Christmas Vacation!
NEC 590.3(B) states that holiday and decorative lighting installations shall be permitted for a period not to exceed 90 days. There is a good reason for this rule. Code articles are created because of accidents, property damage and unfortunately, fatalities.
Here are some safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
- Prior to installing any holiday decorations, make sure that they are listed and in good condition.
- Verify that the wiring is free of any damages such as cracked insulation or bare copper, etc.
- Make sure that any “non-electrical” decorations are flame resistant. An arcing wire will cause a fire if it has fuel!
- Make sure that all wiring is free of “pinch” points such as doorways or walkways that could cut into wires.
- For outside installations, verify that your GFCI receptacles and circuit breakers are working by using the test buttons.
- Inside the home, verify that all smoke alarms are working.
- Verify that all outdoor receptacles are rated WR. This means they are UV resistant and have components that are resistant to rusting and rotting in the environment.
- When using extension cords, verify that they are the proper gauge to carry the amperage safely for your lighting load.
These small measures will assure that your holidays are safe!
As always, we’re at your service 24/7. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to servicing all of your electrical needs in the future.
Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or to schedule a consultation. We can be reached at 954-344-6763.
