Get matched with top holiday decorators in Phillips, WI

Yes, tackling blown fuses and broken light bulbs is definitely safe. Fixing the wiring on a strand of Christmas lights isn’t a good idea, though, because of the danger of shock and fire. However, if you don’t feel comfortable working with any type of electricity, consider hiring a professional Christmas light installer to manage the job safely and efficiently.

It’s not a good idea to mix LED and incandescent Christmas lights if you can avoid it. LEDs and incandescents can have significantly different electrical current needs. This difference can lead to a higher risk of problems and failure for both light strands. When possible, switch all your lights over to one kind or the other for the best results. Do not connect the different types of light strings to each other, and avoid linking them to the same circuit. 

Blinker lights come with a standard box of Christmas lights, so you don’t need to pay extra for them unless you’ve misplaced the ones from the original box. You can buy replacement Christmas blinker lights for about $8 per box. If you want to plan for future holidays, you can buy a value box of 24 replacement blinker bulbs for about $12. Also called flasher lights, the replacement bulbs often come in packages of six bulbs.

There is no formal date for Christmas light removal, but January 2 is a standard day to take them down for many homeowners. However, some homeowners’ associations have strict rules around this topic, mandating that residents remove lights no later than two weeks after Christmas. Check with your local association or community for more information.