Safety Tips for Commercial Christmas Light Displays

Commercial Christmas light displays are a great way to attract customers and remind them to shop for the holiday season. A unique display can build brand awareness. Any display can boost customer loyalty and inspire seasonal joy.

But no display is worth it unless you make commercial Christmas light display safety a priority. An unsafe display puts the lives of your employees and customers in danger. The human element is a priority- but it can also cost you thousands or more in property losses, legal expenses, medical costs, and reputational damage. 

But never fear. The right commercial Christmas light display safety tips will reduce the risk of injury.

To better understand the importance of commercial Christmas light display safety, let’s explore what may happen if safety precautions aren’t taken. Falls and fires are the two biggest Christmas light safety risks. Employees could fall while hanging lights. Damaged wires and heat sources can cause fires in your building. 

Your business and community can suffer in the following ways:

• Property Damage: Commercial Christmas light display fire safety should be a priority. If a fire breaks out, it can cause extensive property damage. Even companies with insurance must be concerned. They may lose irreplaceable items or need to find a new workspace. Fire can also spread to other properties and cause damage.
• Injuries: Employees and customers could get injured due to falls or fire hazards. Workers' compensation could cover employee injuries, but injured customers can sue your business leading to millions of dollars in medical reimbursement and legal fees. Knowing you are responsible for those injuries can also be traumatic.
• Reputational Damage: If an incident occurs in your workplace, it can be difficult to rebuild trust in your community. Consumers will associate you with your negligence. Your business will suffer and you may need to close down. 

A disregard for Christmas lights safety can lead to dire consequences. However, if you follow safety tips for hanging Christmas light display, you will keep your company, employees, and customers safe. 

So, can Christmas light displays cause a fire? Unfortunately, they can.

Christmas lights are the biggest culprit when it comes to fire hazards. Faulty wiring can cause an electrical fire. Lights can also overheat, a situation that’s especially dangerous if they are near flammable material. You must also consider the risk of overloaded outlets.

However, if you follow recommended commercial Christmas light display fire safety tips, you will keep your business safe.

You must consider several factors when choosing lights for your commercial Christmas display as follows:

Inspect your lights and cables carefully before installation. Here are some things to look out for to ensure commercial Christmas display lighting safety.

• Frayed Wires and Cables: Check your wiring and cables to ensure they are not frayed. Frayed wires cause shocks, electrocution, and increase fire risk. Do not attempt to repair them- it’s not worth it. Purchase a new, safe product to keep your business protected.
• Indoor/Outdoor Extension Chords: Just like lighting, extension chords can be rated for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor chords are more weather-resistant and durable. They can handle a larger current load and come with grounding features.

Risks and injuries may also occur during the installation process. Here are some tips that ensure a safe installation.

Consider hiring a professional to install your commercial Christmas light display. A professional will install your system safely and efficiently ensuring it looks its best. Additionally, if an incident occurs while a professional installs your display, they will be responsible for damages. These companies typically carry hefty insurance to prepare themselves for risks. 

Climbing is another major risk associated with Christmas light installation. A Consumer Product Safety Commission report shows that 40% of the 14,800 people treated in emergency rooms during the 2022 holiday season had fall-related injuries. You can prevent these injuries by sharing these ladder-climbing tips with your employees:

• Maintain contact between the ladder and at least three parts of your body while climbing
• Don’t climb higher than the third rung from the top
• Never sit on the top of the ladder

We’ve discussed the importance of using outdoor lights and extension chords for outdoor installations. You must also use sockets approved for outdoor use. Plug them into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to minimize fire risk.

Storms are common during the holiday season. You can protect your Christmas light display from rain and snow with these outdoor Christmas light display safety tips. 

• Use weatherproof electrical connectors: Most lighting systems come with weatherproof electrical connectors. However, if yours aren’t weatherproof, you can use a silicone sealant or waterproof coating.
• Install weather-resistant outlets: Most outdoor outlets are weather-resistant GFCI following the National Electric Code. Ensure outlets are not exposed to further reduce risk.
• Use weather shields: Weather shields are designed for spotlights and other types of exterior lighting. They may help protect some Christmas lights.
• Power displays with outdoor-rated equipment: This includes bulbs, extension cords, and outlets.
• Use LED lights: Outdoor LED lights are more resistant to the elements than other types of lighting.
• Choose the right location: Protect lights by installing them under eaves and overhangs.
• Protect Wiring: Keep wiring safe by burying it underground or through a light fixture or use a protective casing.
• Use surge protectors: Surge protectors protect lights from power surges.

So are commercial Christmas light displays a fire hazard? They can be. You run a risk by using frayed and damaged wires, overloading sockets, using incandescent bulbs, and improper equipment. Fortunately, these risks can be avoided with a safe approach. 

Some people wonder, is it safe to leave Christmas light displays on, and, can I leave my commercial Christmas light display on overnight? Running your lights all night can also be risky. Here are some things to be aware of. 

Yes, you should unplug your Christmas light display at night. Doing so reduces the risk of lights overheating and causing a fire. It will also save you money on your energy bills. 

Timers may be better for turning off Christmas lights than manual unplugging. They ensure your holiday lights are turned off, even if you forget. You may also use Smart devices to control your light display from any location. This way, if you forget to turn off your lights, you don’t need to run back to the shop. 

You can also ensure your lights are safe by following some simple commercial Christmas display storage tips as follows:

• Wrap Cords Carefully: This is one of the most important commercial Christmas light display storage tips. If you don’t wrap cords correctly, they may become frayed and pose a fire risk next season. For best results, wrap them around a tube in the middle of a circular container or use a cord reel.
• Don’t Overload Containers: Overloading storage containers can cause cords to get tangled increasing the risk of fraying. Unplug each set of lights before storing them and avoid placing them on top of each other.
• Store Lights in a Cool, Dry Place: Moisture and high temperatures can damage lights making them unsafe to use. Keep them safe by storing them in a cool, dry location. 

In addition to proper storage, you should maintain lights by inspecting them while they are on display. Doing so allows you to spot signs of damage and risk early on so you can take preventative measures. 

Christmas lights will help you attract customers and stay competitive during the holiday season, but they also pose a safety threat. These safety tips for commercial Christmas light displays will keep you, your customers, your employees, and your workspace safe. They ensure a pleasant holiday season. 

It’s also important to source your lights from a trusted provider - like Dekra-Lite. We carry modern lights that are updated to the latest safety rating. Our quality products will impress your customers.

Browse our selection to get ready for the season ahead. Contact us with any questions you may have. 

Yes, a commercial Christmas light display can get hot enough to start a fire. Fires are especially likely to occur if you use incandescent bulbs that are prone to overheating.

Yes, LED lights are safer than incandescent lights. Incandescent bulbs contain a filament that heats up when it powers on. The glass makes it difficult for heat to escape posing a risk of overheating. Additionally, the glass material can shatter posing an additional hazard. 

Sparking, flickering lights are typically a sign of unsafe wiring which can lead to a fire hazard. It is best to get rid of damaged lighting and replace it with new products. 

You should inspect your Christmas light display before installing it, before putting it away, and after storms. Look out for loose connections, broken or cracked bulbs, damaged cords, exposed wires, and excessive wear. 

Yes, you can use extension cords for your outdoor commercial light display. However, they must be rated for outdoor use. Extension cords rated for outdoor use are weather-resistant, durable, grounded, and certified to meet certain standards and regulations.