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If your lights are shorting out during rain storms or other winter events, you should probably replace them. These shorts indicate electrical issues that could cause serious hazards. Look for outdoor-rated lights with connectors made for rainy conditions to replace them. But if your Christmas lights are new and you want further protection, you can find weatherproof covers to add to the male-end connectors of your Christmas light strings. These can minimize the risk of shorts.

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.

Common outdoor lighting issues include faulty or exposed wiring, burnt-out or damaged bulbs, and broken or faulty fixtures. Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these problems.

The lifespan of a pool light depends on the type, but thankfully, these lights are designed to last a long time before they need to be replaced. LED bulbs last the longest, about 20,000 to 30,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs last the shortest amount of time, about 1,000 to 5,000 hours. Fiber optic pool lights will last around 6,000 hours.