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While wet-rated and damp-rated lighting is designed to handle contact with moisture, there’s a difference between the two. Wet-rated lighting is safety-rated to be placed in areas with direct exposure to water, including your shower. Fixtures classed as wet-rated are made with waterproof seals to protect the filament and other electrical components from water and moisture. 

Damp-rated fixtures can be used in places with some moisture contact, but not direct exposure. They don’t have the same waterproof seals used in wet-rated fixtures. Damp-rated lighting can be used on your bathroom ceiling or along a wall outside of your shower.

It’s fair to be concerned about handling pool lights or wiring in a pool filled with water. But fortunately, pool lights and swimming pools are designed to make it easy and safe to replace the lights without needing to drain the water. Instead, you can turn off the electricity to the pool as a safety precaution, unscrew the pool fixture, pull it up and out to the side of the pool, then change the bulb.

Between seasons, inspect cords for damage, replace burnt-out bulbs, and clean lighting fixtures to prevent dirt buildup. Proper storage in cool, dry conditions will extend the lights' lifespan and minimize repairs or replacements when redeployed.

Before investing in motion sensor lights, there are a couple of disadvantages worth noting. For starters, they’re not as reliable as other forms of lighting. Motion sensor lights can be accidentally triggered by pets or wind, which can become a nuisance after a while. The opposite situation can occur, too, where they don’t turn on when you need them to.