Safety Tips for Decorative Patio Lighting

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Decorative lighting is a warm and inviting way to add sparkle to summer evenings outside on your deck or patio.

To enjoy this lighting safely, CSA International, which does product testing and certification, reminds us to check those lights for safety. The organization recommends:

• When installing decorative lighting on patios or along walkways, inspect your lighting to make sure that it is certified and marked for use in an outdoor or wet location.
• Turn off the electricity supply before working with outdoor lighting and unplug lights when you don't need them.
• Carefully inspect lights and lamps to make sure there are no broken or cracked sockets or housings. Check also for bare or frayed wires, which can be hazardous.
• Use a timer to turn lights on and off. That way, if you forget to hit the switch after you come inside, you can be sure that the lights won't be on all night long. In addition, you will reduce strain on local electricity resources during peak summer hours.

CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA, a developer of standards and codes, and QMI, a leading North American management systems registrar.