Exterior lighting dos and don'ts

We all love those great holiday decorations that brighten our homes and neighborhoods. And while exterior lighting is safe and easy to work with, you still need to follow a few common-sense safety precautions.

Watch those ladders: All step ladders and extension ladders have weight ratings and maximum height ratings, so don't exceed either. Set them up on solid ground, and don't overreach. When working on wet, icy or frozen ground, be extra cautious about where and how you set up your ladders.

Read the labels: When selecting lights, extension cords or outside decorations, check the packaging or read the instructions carefully. Be sure that the manufacturer has labeled the item as approved for use in exterior locations. If an item says that it's for indoor use only, don't use it outside, even temporarily.

Also, some items are labeled for exterior use, but not for wet locations. In other words, you can use them outdoors, but only if they're protected, such as under the eaves or under a patio cover. If that's the case, be sure it's not a place where it's directly exposed to rain or snow.

Visually inspect everything: When you get your lights ready to hang, take a moment to check the bulbs, sockets, light cords and extension cords for nicks, cuts, broken insulation or exposed wires. Discard damaged lights and cords.

Grounded means grounded: If you have an extension cord or a decoration with a three-prong plug, that means it's intended to be plugged into a grounded outlet. Don't use any cord if the grounding leg has been removed or damaged. Never try to force a three-prong male plug into a two-prong cord or outlet.

To properly adapt a three-prong cord to a two-prong outlet, use a UL-approved adapter plug with an attached ground wire. Be sure that the ground wire is connected to a proper ground source, such as a cold water pipe or a grounding rod driven into the ground.

Spot the right holder: Want to use some outdoor spot lights? Use an approved lamp holder to hold the bulb. Most types have a gasket for sealing the bulb in the socket, and some types have a metal or plastic spike attached to simplify staking the light securely to the ground. ...CONTINUED

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