1. Indoor lamps should never be used outdoors. Outdoor lamps should have insulated switches and weather-resistant components, and they should be approved for use in wet areas and test safe for use during rain or snow.
2. Home gardens, decks, and patios are an extension of your home where family and friends gather to relax, play, and celebrate. Outdoor table and floor lamps accentuate the beauty of the outdoors, while safely illuminating the evening and adding a touch of romance.
3. In temperatures above 40 degrees, use compact fluorescent lights in your outdoor table and floor lamps. Compact fluorescent bulbs provide the same quality of light as regular bulbs, but are four times more cost-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
4. Set the mood in your outdoor area with a mix of lighting intensities, as well as an assortment of light sources. Create uplighting by placing lights at the base of trees, place flood lights in trees to simulate moon light, and use outdoor table and floor lamps to cast romantic shadows.
5. Light bulbs that are exposed to wind and dirt become caked with dirt and pollen, causing a loss of up to 40 percent of a bulb's illumination. Regularly clean bulbs in outdoor lamps and check cords and outlets for wear from exposure to the elements.
6. Develop a plan for placement of outdoor lamps intended to showcase and protect your property. Consider placement of outlets and lamps if you have children who could easily trip over cords or pets prone to chewing cords and ultimately creating a fire hazard.
7. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. is trusted across the globe for product safety compliance - check that outdoor lamps, cords, and extension cords are UL-tested. In the United States, every 19 seconds a fire department responds to a call, and every 28 minutes someone suffers a fire-related death or injury.
