The holiday season is approaching! Scientists share tips on how to choose a safe holiday light string.

Structure of a Holiday Garland

Almost any garland consists of a power cord with a plug, a control unit for lighting modes, sockets with bulbs, and connecting wires.

“Typically, common household wires with polyvinyl chloride insulation and copper conductors are used to power the garland from the electrical network, ensuring an optimal balance between their consumer properties and cost. Both LED and incandescent bulbs can be used, with plastic sockets being the most common for garlands, while ceramic or phenolic sockets are used less frequently (for higher wattage bulbs). The control unit is a small electronic board with a mode-switching button housed in a plastic casing,” explains Ivan Kalinin, senior lecturer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at Perm Polytechnic University.

According to the expert, when comparing bulbs with the same luminous flux (the amount of emitted light), LED garlands will undoubtedly consume less electricity and, consequently, generate less heat. In LED bulbs, the light source is a light-emitting diode or an LED matrix, hence the name LED (Light-emitting diode). Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, this design significantly reduces the current consumed, decreases its size, increases its resistance to mechanical impacts, and extends its lifespan.

“When comparing the electricity consumption of traditional and LED bulbs, it typically differs by several times. For example, an LED garland with 50 bulbs for a home Christmas tree will consume approximately up to 0.2 kWh if used continuously, while a similar decoration with incandescent bulbs may consume up to 0.8 kWh under the same conditions. The duration of operation for New Year decorations is generally not time-restricted, but it is recommended to disconnect it from the power supply when not in use, just like any other electrical equipment,” notes Ivan Kalinin.

Key to a Peaceful Celebration

The expert claims that the safety of the garland depends on the quality of its assembly and adherence to operational rules. The holiday decoration must have instructions in Russian and an EAC mark – a sign of compliance with the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union. The wires should not show visible damage: cracks, stretches, or burrs. The distance from the plug to the nearest bulb should be at least 1.5 meters. The power rating of the garland can be determined from its technical specifications indicated in the instructions, on the packaging, or on the tag near the product's plug.

Always check the garland in the store to ensure the modes claimed by the manufacturer are working and that the bulbs are lit. Do not plug it in at home immediately after coming in from outside. It should be allowed to rest for about 30 minutes. A sudden transition from sub-zero temperatures to warmth can cause condensation, leading to short circuits and malfunctions.

Beware of Pungent Odors from the Box

The expert suggests avoiding the purchase of decorative items that emit sharp and unpleasant odors.

“A pungent smell from garlands may result from the manufacturer using low-quality materials for making plastic parts or wire insulation. Such an odor indicates the release of various toxic substances into the air and can lead to unwanted allergic reactions, headaches, and general malaise,” says Ivan Kalinin.

A working garland may emit odors from melting wire insulation or plastic parts. Damage or defects in the device can pose a fire hazard. It is advisable to immediately disconnect it from the power supply and ventilate the room.

Home Decor: What to Pay Attention To?

“Always securely fasten the garland, avoiding twisting and stretching the wires. Do not use nails, clips, or other sharp objects, as they can damage the insulation and conduct electricity. For your safety, it is recommended to connect the garland to the outlet only after it has been fully installed,” notes Rostislav Yudin, an engineer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at Perm Polytechnic University.

Many designers recommend running the garland along the curtains or placing it directly on the tulle. However, such ideas cannot guarantee safety.

“Electrical decorations made of small bulbs, produced earlier, were considered fire hazards, heating up quickly and often burning out, and they could not be left unattended. High-quality decorations of the new generation with LED bulbs hardly emit heat. However, from a fire safety perspective, the garland should not be placed in contact with paper, wood, or easily flammable fabrics. It is important to remember that these are electrical devices, and even the slightest insulation breach can lead to immediate ignition,” emphasizes Rostislav Yudin.

Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Garlands

Outdoor garlands typically use wires and components that are resistant to atmospheric effects.

“The lamp sockets and control unit must have enhanced moisture protection, while the wires should have reinforced insulation, resistant to moisture and sunlight. When purchasing outdoor decorations, it is recommended to pay attention to the dust and moisture protection class IP: for decorations placed under a canopy where there is no snow, rain, or strong gusts of wind, a class of at least IP44 is sufficient. For garlands placed outdoors in winter, the minimum should be IP56,” notes Ivan Kalinin, senior lecturer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at Perm Polytechnic University.

If you want to place decorations without any restrictions, it would be wise to choose a garland with a protection rating of IP67.

Battery-Powered Garlands

Powered by batteries, holiday decorations can operate anywhere: at the dacha, in the yard, and even in the forest. The main advantage over the classic garland is the low voltage and overload protection, which is especially important for homes with children and pets.

“The primary danger of garlands is associated with the risk of electric shock when the wire insulation is damaged or if there is a fault with a 220 Volt outlet. Battery operation ensures low voltage, so if a short circuit occurs, the current will be significantly lower, reducing the likelihood of serious consequences,” explains Rostislav Yudin, an engineer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at PNIPU.

Additionally, battery-powered decorations usually have shorter and less tangled wires, which reduces the likelihood of damage and short circuits.

Flickering Lights

Any artificial light source flickers. A light flow fluctuation of up to 20 percent is considered safe for humans. For example, in modern high-quality LED bulbs, the fluctuation rate is less than five percent, which, according to health regulations, is the maximum allowable value for workplaces equipped with personal computers. In comparison, traditional incandescent bulbs have a fluctuation rate of 5–10 percent, while fluorescent lamps can reach 30–40 percent.

“It is important to remember that not all flickering garlands are equally harmful. Lights with soft and infrequent flickering are less dangerous than those with sharp and frequent flashes of different colors. To reduce the risk of negative effects, it is recommended to use decorations with low light intensity, limit the time spent in close proximity to them, and provide sufficient illumination from other light sources to avoid sharp contrasts. If symptoms of eye fatigue or other discomfort arise, it is necessary to stop exposure to flickering light,” recommends Rostislav Yudin, an engineer at the Department of Microprocessor Automation at Perm Polytechnic University.

The lights should also be turned off a couple of hours before sleep or reduce the content of short-wavelength blue-violet light to avoid disrupting circadian rhythms and the daily sleep-wake cycle.