Christmas string lights and bulbs cast a cozy glow that’s hard to beat. It’s easy to get tempted to go to bed without turning off your tree or garland lights — sometimes we even forget. But is it safe to leave holiday lights on indoors all night, or is it a fire hazard? We turned to safety pros to get the answer.
Can You Leave Christmas Lights On Overnight?
The safest bet is to switch off your holiday lights before bedtime. Modern LED bulbs are much safer than old-fashioned incandescent ones, which need extra care — but even then, the risk isn’t worth it. “Generally, we don’t recommend leaving indoor holiday lights on overnight,” says Rick Sheets, VP of monitoring and compliance at Brinks Home. “They can get too warm or even overheat, which can lead to electrical fires.” He adds that leaving indoor lights on for long stretches puts extra strain on outlets and extension cords. Overloaded outlets can spark or overheat, which is also a fire risk.
The takeaway? “The safest approach is to use indoor holiday lights only when you’re awake and home, and turn them off when you leave or go to bed,” Sheets advises. Keep indoor lights on for no more than six to eight hours at a time. A good rule of thumb: turn them on when you’re home and awake, and off before bedtime or leaving the house.
More Holiday Light Safety Tips to Keep in Mind
Since we’re talking safety, let’s cover a few simple rules to keep your home safe during the festive season.
Check Your Cords
“Inspect all your holiday light cords for damage, cuts, breaks, or fraying,” advises Matt Bowman, decoration expert and founder of Tradition Company. If any don’t pass, it’s time to toss them.
Ditch Old Lights
Old incandescent lights can be fire hazards, especially near flammable materials like real or artificial trees, paper decorations, and more. Upgrade to safer, modern options.
Mind Your Connections
“Keep plugs off the ground and away from standing water,” says Ben Kolo, electrician and owner of Mr. Electric. This includes real tree water reservoirs. “Distribute your lights across multiple outlets on different circuits to avoid overload.”
Try a Smart Plug
This little trick makes life so much easier! Sheets says smart plugs let you automate your lights, cutting down the chance they’ll accidentally stay on all night or when you’re out. Plus, you can turn them off remotely.
Bonus tip: Take ten minutes while decorating to check that all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Also, make sure decorations don’t block these devices.
It’s easy to go overboard with decorations during the holidays, so be mindful to use only lights with cords and plugs in good condition. Check extension cords too — plugging in too many things can overload them. Also, keep lights away from curtains, throw pillows, and other flammable materials. LEDs have the big advantage of running cooler, but it’s still smart to place them on stable surfaces. If you have kids or pets, make sure cords aren’t within reach. These small precautions don’t take much time but make a big difference for a safe, worry-free holiday vibe.
