Is It Safe To Leave Outdoor Christmas Lights On All Night? Here's What To Know

One of the most exciting parts of the Christmas season, hands down, is the decorating. It creates a bright, colorful, and festive environment, helping to make everyone feel warm and cozy. So it's understandable why you'd want to get your Christmas decorations up early and even leave them up for a few days past New Year's Day. You might even want to leave your outdoor Christmas lights on all night, especially since it probably wasn't easy getting them up there. But that isn't really safe to do.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns, "[outdoor lights] could short and start a fire." Even though outdoor-rated lights are designed to handle inclement weather — and most modern sets are LED, so they don't get nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs – they're still electrical devices. They still use power, and they can still pose a hazard. That's why insurance providers like Travelers also suggest turning your outdoor Christmas lights off before bed. And if you're leaving your home for work or traveling overnight or longer, keep them off then too, since you won't be there to monitor them if anything goes wrong.

Despite how much you might love your Christmas decorations and want them up 24/7, the risk isn't worth it. The National Fire Protection Association responds to "an estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year that began with decorations," and that number doesn't even include fires related to Christmas trees. (FYI: you should also unplug the lights on your real tree, since they can pose a fire hazard too.) What's more, those decoration-related fires lead to about $18 million in property damage annually.

If your Christmas lights are left on all night, there's a chance they could experience an electrical overload. Manufacturers outline exactly how many strands can be safely connected and how much wattage they require. If you accidentally overload a power source, it could trip the circuit breaker or cause an electrical fire. And if you're asleep when it happens, you may not be able to react in time.

With that said, you should always read the manufacturer's instructions. If you're not sure what your outlets can handle, consult an electrician before hanging outdoor lights. Travelers Insurance also recommends plugging outdoor lights into ground fault circuit interrupters. These outlets automatically shut off the power if they sense a potential hazard, which helps prevent damage to your electrical system. Another safety tip to keep in mind is to make sure your outdoor lights are attached securely and never stapled or fastened through the wire. Piercing the cord can cause damage, increasing the risk of fires. It's best to err on the side of caution and turn off all your Christmas lights before you go to bed. You'll sleep easier knowing your festive decor isn't creating any potentially dangerous hiccups in your holiday season.