How to Keep Your Outdoor Holiday Decorations Safe in Northern Michigan
Winter in Northern Michigan is beautiful, but it’s also tough on outdoor holiday displays. Snow, rain, wind and deep freezes create real electrical and fire hazards when lights and inflatables aren’t installed or maintained correctly. Based on guidance from Ting Fire Safety’s recent article, here’s what local homeowners should know before lighting up the neighborhood.
Weather Makes All the Difference
Outdoor décor here faces extreme conditions. Moisture can seep into plugs, cords and outlets, which increases the risk of shocks or short circuits. Snow load and wind can loosen connections, bend stakes or place stress on inflatables. Even overnight temperature swings can lead to condensation inside electrical components.
Use Timers and Shut Decorations Off During Storms
Leaving lights or inflatables on all night sounds convenient, but overheating motors or bulbs is more common than many homeowners realize. A weather-rated timer helps you conserve energy and reduce risk. During heavy snow, rain or strong winds, it’s best to power down entirely.
Avoid Overloading Your Circuits
One of the biggest winter hazards is running too many light strands on a single circuit. To stay safe, keep your load under roughly 80 percent of circuit capacity. Add up the wattage of all connected décor, divide by 120 volts to estimate amperage and spread items across multiple outdoor circuits when possible.
Hang and Secure Decorations Safely
Use outdoor-rated light clips rather than nails or staples. Inspect cords for cracks or wear before installation and elevate all plugs and connections off the ground to prevent water pooling. For inflatables, add extra stakes or weights because Northern Michigan gusts can easily shift or unplug them.
Choose Outdoor-Rated Equipment
Look for UL-listed outdoor lights and extension cords. LEDs run cooler and draw less power than incandescent strands, which lowers risk during extreme cold. Outdoor digital timers and surge protectors also offer better performance through freezing temperatures.
Keep Outdoor Outlets Weather-Sealed
One of the most common issues is leaving a GFCI cover open so a cord can fit. That opening invites snow, meltwater and ice straight into the outlet. Use a flat-plug cord that allows the cover to close, or install a weatherproof “in-use” cover designed to stay fully sealed while in operation.
Don’t Use Electrical Tape for Weatherproofing
Standard electrical tape isn’t designed to withstand snow, freezing rain or the freeze-thaw cycle. Use outdoor-rated connection covers or enclosed cord protectors instead.
Store Decorations Properly
When the season ends, bring everything inside, wrap lights neatly to avoid damage and store them in airtight containers that block moisture. Good off-season storage makes next year’s setup safer and easier.