The only thing that’ll get you in the holiday spirit faster than egg nog are Christmas lights. White lights, bright lights, colorful strings and twinklers; it doesn’t matter the type of light, no seasonal display is complete without them.
These pretty decorations don’t come without risks, though. Falls, electrocution and even fires are real possibilities. (Looking at you, the dad from every ’80s and ’90s movie.) An average of 770 fires are caused by Christmas lights every year, according to a 2020 report by the National Fire Protection Association.
With proper preparation and safety practices, you can avoid dangerous situations with your holiday decor.
Here are 16 potential holiday light hazards and safety tips to avoid Christmas light sparks, blowouts, fires and other scary scenarios.