Christmas is a time for family, friends, and, of course, festive decorations. While many people enjoy decorating their homes with Christmas lights, there is always a risk of fire. Do Christmas lights get hot enough to start a fire?
It’s very unlikely that your Christmas lights will set on fire since they are designed to be energy efficient and are not intended to overheat.
Standardized Christmas lights are designed to operate safely at a much lower temperature than the temperatures required for combustion or fire.
However, there is still some risk associated with using Christmas lights if they are in poor condition and used incorrectly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 770 fires are started by Christmas light malfunctions each year.
Read on to find out more about the risks and how you can use your lights safely.
Do Christmas LED Lights Start Fires?
Although Christmas lights can get hot, it’s unlikely that they will be set on fire. LED bulbs are the coolest and most energy-efficient option available.
They don’t produce much heat, so they are not a safety concern. However, even though LEDs generate less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs, improper installation and use of any type of light can cause a fire hazard.
It’s unlikely that the lights themselves will catch fire, and more likely that the materials surrounding the lights will catch on fire. Some common materials used to hang Christmas lights can be flammable.
This includes paper, cardboard, and wood that is too close to the heat produced by the light bulbs.
How to Make Sure Your Christmas Lights Don’t Cause a Fire
To prevent fires caused by malfunctioning Christmas lights, here are some important considerations:
1. Don’t Overload the Outlet
It can be hard to find enough outlet space when plugging in your Christmas decorations, but it’s important not to overload the outlets or extension cords with too many devices. Overloading may cause wires to overheat, leading to fire hazards.
Some ways that you can prevent this are to use surge protectors, only plug in lights for short periods of time, and consider using battery-operated Christmas lights.
2. Check the Cords Regularly
It’s important to make sure the cords are not frayed or cracked, as any damage can cause a fire hazard. If you notice any damage to the cords, replace them immediately.
3. Use the Right Bulbs for the Right Conditions
It’s important to use bulbs that are designed for outdoor or indoor use, depending on where you will be using them. Also, make sure to check the wattage of your light strings and bulbs.
Using higher wattage than what is recommended can cause overheating and lead to a fire hazard.
4. Keep Flammable Materials Away from the Lights
It’s also important to keep flammable materials away from Christmas lights, as these can easily catch on fire if they are too close to the bulbs. This includes paper, cardboard, and wood.
Your Christmas tree can be highly flammable, so make sure to keep an eye on it and use high-quality LED lights.
5. Turn off the Lights When Not in Use
It’s important to turn off the lights when you are not home or when you go to bed, as this can reduce the risk of fire. Using automatic timers is a quick and easy solution.
Some lights come with timers or you can buy a separate device that will turn your lights off and on at certain times.
6. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby
If your Christmas tree lights or outdoor lights catch fire, it’s important to have a fire extinguisher nearby. This can help you prevent the fire from getting out of control.
It’s also helpful for any other type of house fire that could occur from other electronics or cooking.
Can I Leave My Outdoor Christmas Lights On Overnight?
It is not recommended to leave Christmas lights on overnight. Even if you are using LED lights or energy-efficient bulbs, leaving them on for too long can cause overheating and create a fire hazard.
It’s best to turn the lights off when you’re done with them and use timers as an extra layer of protection.
What Happens if I String Together Too Many Christmas Lights?
With some sets, you can connect more than 80 LED Christmas light sets together end to end without overloading the system. A set of traditional incandescent Christmas lights may only allow you to connect four in a row.
Many string lights come with a fuse because light strings have a maximum wattage capacity, which is to prevent you from connecting too many together at once.
The fuse is designed to prevent your Christmas lights from being damaged by blowing out when overloaded.
A typical home’s circuit includes several outlets for plugs, internal lighting fixtures, and built-in appliances–all running on the same electrical current.
When you plug your Christmas lights into the wall, they use some of the same power as other devices on that circuit. Having fewer devices plugged in means that each individual device can draw more power.
If you already have multiple items running on the same circuit, “tripping your breakers” may occur. If your wattage is too high for the number of amps the circuit can handle, this will happen to protect you.
Your house likely has 15 to 20 total amps of electricity available. A single light string may draw up to 1.5 amps and several strings could be too much for the circuit to handle, leading to a potential fire hazard.
How Hot Do LED Lights Get?
Incandescent bulbs emit a lot of heat, whereas LED lights stay relatively cool. An LED bulb heats up to 32.6°C after running for 3 minutes. In the same amount of time, incandescent bulbs will be at 216°C.
Since LED lights are much cooler, they are preferred for lights used on Christmas trees and around the house. They are also more affordable, energy-efficient, and long-lasting because they use less electricity overall.
Can I Use Indoor Christmas Lights Outside?
It is not recommended to use indoor Christmas lights outside because they are not designed or rated for outdoor use.
Outdoor-rated Christmas lights are specially designed to be waterproof and able to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.
Using indoor lights outside can damage the wires and insulation, causing them to wear down faster over time. This could lead to a fire hazard.
Final Thoughts
Christmas lights are a great way to get into the holiday spirit and decorate your home for the season. But it’s important to understand how various types of Christmas lights work, as well as safety tips for preventing fires.
LED lights are a safer option because they don’t give off much heat, but you should still be careful and avoid overloading your circuits. Also, be sure to unplug Christmas lights when you’re not using them and never leave them on overnight or use indoor lights outdoors.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
