NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — You probably already have your Christmas decorations ready. But if you're still working on it, we have some ideas.
Whether you want your Christmas lights to be dimmed or blinded, a Wi-Fi connected smart plug can help. And many of them let you control everything through an app on your phone or even just with your voice.
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“The easiest way to control your Christmas lights is honestly with a smart plug,” said Dan Wroclawski of Consumer Reports. “They’re affordable, they work with popular home assistants like Alexa and Google Home…”
Wraclawski says: Even if you don't have the technical skills to pull it off, there are products that can help you manage your lights and gear and add some extra holiday fun this season.
Setting up a smart plug is not complicated. Most are set up through an app that you download to your phone. Once you have created an account, you can add your smart plug to the app. From there, you can create routines to have your lights turn on and off automatically.
For outdoor lighting, choose a smart plug designed specifically for outdoor use, like this top-rated plug from Wyze. For indoor use, Consumer Reports likes this one from TP-Link.
Some smart plugs even offer energy monitoring features and safety alerts. Something that is especially important this time of year!
“December is the month with the highest frequency of home fires, and fires involving Christmas trees and decorations can be particularly damaging and deadly,” Wroclawski said. “That’s why it’s important to always make sure you have working smoke alarms.”
Consumer Reports recommends this smoke alarm from SimpliSafe.
Before decorating, check all of your lights, extension cords, and plugs to make sure they are in good condition. Use only extension cords and decorations indoors! Never overload your electrical outlets and always turn off all of your Christmas lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
And be careful when hanging those Christmas lights! Every year, nearly six thousand people go to the emergency room with injuries from falls while putting up Christmas decorations! Before climbing, put on sturdy shoes and check your ladder for loose parts, sharp edges and bent rungs.
Do you have any further information about this story? You can email me at jennifer.kraus@newschannel5.com.
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