Question:

With holiday season fast approaching, what can you do to keep outdoor Christmas lighting safe?

Actually, quite a bit. If you don’t look at anything else, be sure to check out the first item.

Answer:

When using electricity outside, you can avoid major problems by using ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).  Electricity always attempts to reach ground, and dampness speeds its progress.  You don’t want 110 volts to go through you on its way to the ground nor do you want a bad connection to electrify nearby areas.

A GFCI circuit instantly cuts the power if it senses ground.  The GFCI saves you, your family, or pets from electrical shock that could be fatal.

If your circuit is not GFCI, you can easily acquire a portable device at stores that carry electrical items (available at Ace Hardware, Brooklyn).  It’s a simple, but effective way to avoid tragic consequences.

Though not exhaustive, here are some more important tips.

Make sure your extension cords match intended usage—are they designed for outdoors and robust enough to handle the load?  Is the insulation intact?

Keep extension cords and light strings out of snow and standing water.

Keep away from power lines—on your house or otherwise.  Aluminum conducts electricity, so use wooden or fiberglass ladders.

Click for additional information from the U.S. Product Safety Commission.

Then, of course, there is the Griswold method!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ar-__ub0rc