In neighborhoods across America, the contest is on: Which household will earn the rights to the title of "Most Highly Decorated Home"? This time of year brings out the bratty kid in all of us, as we string a few more strands of lights on the shrubbery and twist on the "flasher" bulb. We rig that electric Santa to the top of the chimney, untangle the marquee lights for the rooftop, drag the life-sized sleigh and reindeer to the front yard and place a waving Rudolph statue in the front window. In short, we revert to 6-year-olds for a period of about four weeks. And why not? It's one of life's simple pleasures. Sure, it's a study in excess, and we're making the local utility companies very happy, but it's an annual event we'd miss terribly otherwise. And those of us who resist the urge to relive our childhoods just sit back and watch in amazement as our neighbors try to "outlight" one another.

Before you join the competition, however, you should know a few things about the lights you string outside your home. Many of us would be quick to assume that lights are lights, and as long as the box reads "outdoor" that all is well. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and too many homeowners learn that costly lesson every year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 1,100 people were injured in the United States in 1998 from injuries suffered due to electric holiday decorations. And even the best outdoor lights aren't fail-safe. They must be inspected for flaws and hung carefully. And they're vulnerable to some of the same risks to which lower-quality lights are subject.

When you're out shopping for outdoor lights, check for two things: the "UL approved" label and the "outdoor" designation. Anything less, and you may be playing with fire -- literally. The same goes for any extension cords that you purchase for your outdoor lights. So many homeowners simply drag a spare extension cord out from the house and assume it's acceptable for outdoor use. That's only true if the extension cord carries the same two above-mentioned labels. If the extension cord isn't clearly marked and you're unsure, don't take any risks. Head to the nearest hardware store, and purchase a cord clearly marked and approved for safe outdoor use.

When you open up the packages containing the lights -- or if you're using any lights that have been stored since last year -- inspect each string carefully for missing bulbs, and give each bulb a twist to make sure they're secure. If you removed a bulb from a used strand because the socket burned out, replace the bulb anyway, and make sure the strand is unplugged when you replace the bulb. An empty socket presents the risk of electrocution. Moisture or debris also could become lodged in an empty socket, presenting the risk of fire. In addition, keep your eyes open for cracked sockets, and check the wires for signs of fraying or any areas of exposed wire.

Another point to consider before you replace any bulbs: Check the manufacturer's instructions (or even the cord itself) for recommendations on wattage. If you replace a low-wattage bulb with a higher-wattage bulb, you're placing your family and home at risk of fire. And while it might be tempting to join multiple strands of lights together, don't. Most manufacturers will specify how many strands of lights are safe to string together end to end. If you can't locate this information, don't connect more than three strands together.

As you're hanging your lights outside, be sure to hang all plugs far above the ground and away from moisture. Any precipitation -- snow, rain or ice -- could pose a serious fire hazard to your home if the plugs become wet. No part of the strands should run through water, even if the manufacturer claims the lights are waterproof. Attach strands of lights securely to trees, walls or other surfaces to prevent them from falling, hitting the ground and becoming wet. Instead of thumbtacks, pushpins or nails, use insulated staples to secure the strands; they're not only safer but also do a much better job of keeping your lights in place.

This holiday season, as with many seasons past, you'll notice that homeowners often leave their outdoor holiday lights burning overnight. This practice is risky because the lights and cords become warm after being lit for such a lengthy period, and are therefore more subject to melting and/or catching fire. Turn off all outdoor lights before you head to bed and whenever you leave the house -- even if you're just headed down the street for a gallon of egg nog. And it goes without saying that before you plug in any lights outside this year, replace the batteries in your smoke alarms, and make sure they're in good working order. Happy holidays, and may the season be bright.

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Published: December 22, 1999

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