Outdoor Christmas Decorations and Snow (Lynchburg: house, yard, place)

[Ashburnite]

Will the predicted heavy snowfall cause a problem for the extension cords and multi-outlets I have in my yard for the blow up snowman and the light up deer? I know the cord and three way plug are for outdoor use but is being buried by a foot of snow a problem for them? If I need to cover the plugs with something to keep them from being completely encased in snow I'll do it. Anyone?

[LynchburgLover]

I'd wrap the connections in plastic and leave them unplugged until the snow is over. Is it really worth the risk of fire?

[Ashburnite]

Originally Posted by LynchburgLover

Is it really worth the risk of fire?

That's why I'm asking. I didn't know if the snow could seep into the outlet and cause a short (or worse) or if I was just being concerned over nothing. What do people up north do?

[leighland]

Originally Posted by Ashburnite

That's why I'm asking. I didn't know if the snow could seep into the outlet and cause a short (or worse) or if I was just being concerned over nothing. What do people up north do?

You should post this in the CD Forums of Milwaukee or Minneapolis or etc... and ask them. I'm interested too..

[Ashburnite]

Originally Posted by leighland

You should post this in the CD Forums of Milwaukee or Minneapolis or etc... and ask them. I'm interested too..

I *should have* but it's too late now!

I covered the plugs with plastic and unplugged everything from the wall socket.

[TPL]

I always cover the exposed extension outlets with black electrical tape. I rushed to do some last night while it was snowing, because I added about half-a-dozen more sets of lights in about 30 minutes. I awoke this morning thinking that maybe I forgot to cover one specific plug, but it's been alright so far. (We have used a bag once before too, just as you mentioned).

Last year I forgot to tape an outlet on a three-way adapter, and ice formed over the holes. I simply unplugged it, and used an ice-pick to clear it.

As for the displays "Blowing" or "Worse", just about every light display that I know of has a fuse or two installed in the plug end, to prevent anything beyond a short-out in the strand.

The only problem we've had so far, is when one of us was tapping the bushes out front to clear the weight of the snow off of them, and one strand COMPLETELY went out, even though it's a newer one that typically stays lit even if a bulb or two burn-out. We'll have to fix it in the daylight hours (If I can find another strand).

[TPL]

BTW, just an update. One entire side of our house lights went out. I figured that it must be a fuse on the first unlit line, and sure enough it was. Now we only have one strand to fix. The fuses are annoying to replace, and you really need an ice-pick to do it (UNPLUG first though lol). If any lights go out, check the fuses before anything else.