Disclaimer

Last updated: August 2026

Merry Lights Guide publishes research summaries and buying guidance about Christmas lights, trees and outdoor decorations. Some of what we cover — electrical safety, extension-cord amperage, ladder and roof work, UL-listing claims — touches personal safety, so we would rather state plainly what our guidance is and is not than bury it.

The short version

Our guides are research summaries, not electrical or safety-engineering advice and not a substitute for the manual that came with your product. Electrical safety practices and local code requirements vary; for anything involving wiring, roof or ladder work, consult the product manual or a licensed electrician. We do not buy, install or physically test the products we rank.

General Information, Not Safety Advice

This site publishes general information about Christmas lights and decorations, including how UL-listing, indoor-vs-outdoor ratings and extension-cord amperage commonly work. It is not electrical or safety-engineering advice, is not a substitute for advice from a licensed electrician, and does not create any professional relationship. Practices vary by product, local code and climate. Before relying on anything in these guides for a decision with real consequences — running a heavy load on one circuit, working on a roof or ladder, or leaving lights unattended — verify the current guidance from the manufacturer or a licensed electrician.

We do not test anything

Consistent with how we research and our affiliate disclosure: we do not buy, install or physically operate the lights and decorations we cover. Nothing on this site should be read as a claim that we personally verified a product. Our rankings come from aggregated owner reviews, published manufacturer specifications and public research, and we cite sources so you can read the originals rather than take our word for it.

What our guidance is not

Not a safety certification. Referencing a UL listing, IP rating or manufacturer safety claim on a product page is us reporting what the manufacturer states — it is not our own certification or inspection of the product.
Not a substitute for the manual. Your product's own documentation and packaging are specific to that model and override anything general we write, including for installation, wiring and indoor/outdoor use.
Not an electrical-code check. Extension-cord amperage, outlet capacity and local electrical code requirements vary by home, municipality and climate. We flag common guidance; you still need to check your own setup, and hire a licensed electrician for anything beyond a simple plug-in string of lights.
Not professional or legal advice. We are not electricians, roofers or licensed installers. Where a job involves mains electrical work, roof access or a ladder you are not confident on, hire a licensed professional.

Prices, specifications and availability change

Product prices, ratings, review counts and specifications shown on this site are drawn from public data and are illustrative — they change frequently and may be out of date by the time you read them. Always confirm the current price, specification and availability on the manufacturer's or retailer's own website before purchasing.

Electrical & fire safety

Christmas lights and decorations carry real electrical and fire-safety risk when overloaded, damaged or left running unattended. Follow the manufacturer's indoor/outdoor rating, do not exceed the recommended number of strings connected end-to-end, inspect cords for damage each season, and use a properly rated extension cord and outdoor-rated timer. We summarize known, sourced safety guidance where relevant (see our Safety callouts throughout the site), but we cannot promise to catch every product-specific risk — the manufacturer's own instructions always take priority.

Telling us about a problem

If you think something on this site is wrong, out of date or unsafe, we want to know and we will fix it. Contact us with the page and the specific issue.