Whether you are looking for a way to revamp your backyard appeal or want something to give off some bit of light in your fast-approaching outdoor night party, string lights are definitely what you need.
These lovely little things can completely change the ambiance, making your outdoor more inviting and fun. But before you ignite your home into that perfect festive mood, you could be wondering – can you leave string lights on all night?
Now, if that’s the question that has been bugging you, then let us help you out. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about string lights so you can use them without any worries.
Can You Leave Fairy Lights On All Night?
Yes, you can leave your fairy lights on all night without any issues. Fairy lights are highly resilient and usually don’t emit a lot of heat. So, they can remain on for days to even months and years, and they’ll be just fine.
Before proceeding, it’s worth mentioning that we aren’t introducing any different types of lights here. Fairy lights and string lights are the same things – just with different names. Other names for string lights are Christmas lights, patio lights, and festive lights. So, when we use any of these names in this article, we’re referring to string lights.
And back to answering your question, the general rule is that if the fairy lights are in good condition and aren’t damaged, you can leave them on for the whole night. That’s of course if you are using the light.
Like some other types of lights, string lights usually have the great build quality, are highly resilient, and can tolerate being on for long periods without any issues.
Of course, this only applies if you’re using the right kind of fairy lights. If you use cheap string lights featuring sub-par materials, they definitely won’t last as long.
But as long as you get some of the best string lights featuring high-quality materials, you’re good to go – not just for one night but for several nights, weeks, months, or even years.
How Long Do LED Light Strings Last?
We don’t have a definite answer to this question. How long LED light strings last depends on the specific ones you buy. But generally, most high-quality string lights should serve you for between 30,000 to 50000 hours before their brightness drops to 70% of their initial intensity.
The lifespan of lights is measured using the number of burning hours. A string of lights with a lifespan of 30,000 hours should theoretically last for three years and some months of use without ever turning them off. So, string lights with a rating of 50000 hours should serve for about six years of continuous use.
But again, even after that period elapses, it doesn’t mean the lights will stop working at once. Not at all. Instead, they’ll still be on but won’t be as bright as they were when you first bought them. That’s on paper, though!
In the real world, things are bound to be a bit different. For one, no one would ever leave their lights on for years without ever turning them off. So, the actual lifespan of your lights will definitely be much longer than what’s written on the packaging.
Plus, the durability of the bulb doesn’t only depend on internal factors. Lifespan also has something to do with how you use and handle the lights. If you’re constantly moving them around or are very rough with them, they won’t last as long as they’d with someone who’s more careful.
The durability of your lights will also be affected by the environment in which you use them. If you live in an area with lots of dust, your lights will get dirty faster, reducing their lifespan.
So, while we can’t give you a definite answer on how long your string lights will last, we can say that they should serve you for several years if you take good care of them and don’t use them in harsh environments.
Do String Lights Overheat?
No, string lights usually don’t overheat. In fact, they remain cool enough that they seldom feel warm to the touch. As such, they are unlikely to cause any fires or accidents when using them around fabric, children, and pets.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that electrical malfunctions come second in the leading causes of home fires in the United States. According to them, most such fires originate from cooking equipment, heating sources, and lighting equipment.
But speaking of string lights, they generally operate at extremely low temperatures and actually remain cool even with hours of continuous use. That’s unlike some lights that overheat with time and become extremely hot to the touch.
And just so you know, string lights don’t overheat because they use LED bulbs . And as you probably know, LED lights are much cooler than incandescent bulbs, thanks to the heat sink, which dissipates heat away from the bulb and keeps it cool.
We can also attribute string lights not overheating to their design. The bulbs in these strands are wide apart, allowing air to circulate and dissipate any generated heat.
So, you don’t have to worry about string lights overheating or causing accidents. Even so, it’s always essential to be cautious when using any electrical equipment. Remember that overheating is only one potential cause of the fire. We have many others, but more of that is in the next section.
Can Outdoor String Lights Catch On Fire?
Yes, outdoor string lights can catch on light, but it’s more complicated than a simple yes or no answer. Fires in outdoor patio lights will only happen when there’s a short circuit. And for a short circuit to occur, there has to be a fault in the wiring, causing excess heat and leading to a fire.
Your outdoor Christmas lights to catch on fire. However, that will only happen if there’s a manufacturing defect or damage to the wiring. But where the string lights are of good quality and the wiring part is up to par, that becomes unlikely.
Even so, we highly recommend that you inspect each strand before using it. Check for any melts or exposed wiring within the string. If any, don’t take any chances. You better play it safe by replacing the entire series. The same applies to any extension cords you intend to use for your plug-in lights. Check to see if they have any faults.
How Long Can You Leave Fairy Lights On?
You can leave your fairy lights on for as long as you want. Fairy lights are durable, energy-efficient, and don’t overheat, making them perfectly safe to leave on for long periods without any worries.
I know that sometimes it can be tempting to want to extend that magical feeling by leaving the lights on even when you’re not around. And for the most part, that’s perfectly fine. But you’d rather not for your safety and that of your home.
Sure, string lights are far less likely than some other lights to cause any accidents. Even so, we have some general rules to follow when working with any electrical equipment, which drags string lights into the equation.
For instance, you shouldn’t leave any electrical equipment unattended. So, just unplug your fairy lights when not using them. That way, you can avoid any potential accidents.
Is It Safe To Leave LED Lights On?
While you can leave LED lights on, and it will be safe, you won’t be saving any money by leaving them on, even if they don’t use as much energy as incandescent lights. So, it’s best to turn them off when you can.
LEDs are usually safe, energy-efficient, and very unlikely to start fires. As such, it’s normal to find yourself struggling with deciding whether to leave them on or turn them off.
Now, when you find yourself in such a conundrum, you’d rather swing to the safer side. After all, it’s not like leaving your LED lights on will save you much money. In fact, you might even end up spending more by leaving them on all the time.
The whole point of getting energy-efficient LED lights was to save money on your electricity bill. But if you leave them on all the time, there goes your savings down the drain.
So, is it safe to leave LED lights on? Yes. But is it advisable? No, not if you’re looking to save money. That’s of course, without even talking about the general rule of unplugging any electrical equipment when not using them.
Are Fairy Lights Safe In The Bedroom?
Yes, fairy lights are safe in the bedroom as long as they are not plugged into an extension cord. If you’re using battery-operated lights, you have nothing to worry about. Just make sure the batteries are not near anything flammable.
Most professionals recommend not leaving any lighting item on overnight. That includes string lights, which still have slim chances of starting a fire. But that only applies when the lights are plugged in.
If you’re using battery-operated lights, then you can safely leave them on all night without any worries. Battery and solar-powered fairy lights will seldom start a fire, even if left on for days.
Can You Leave Plug-In Fairy Lights On All Night?
No, you shouldn’t leave plug-in fairy lights on all night. Just unplug the lights when you’re not using them and plug them back in when you want to use them again. Even though the chances of a fire are slim, it’s still better to be safe than sorry.
It’s unlikely for your high-quality string lights to start a fire. But it’s not impossible. So, just to be on the safe side, unplug your lights when not using them. That way, you can avoid any potential accidents.
Can You Put Fairy Lights In The Water?
Unless your string lights are made specifically for that purpose, then no, you shouldn’t put fairy lights in the water. Most string lights are not waterproof, which means they can easily be damaged by water.
And even if your lights are waterproof, submerging them in water is still not a good idea. The waterproof feature keeps them from the effects of slight exposure to moisture and not those of being fully submerged.
As gentle as they look, always remember that the electricity flowing through your string lights can be dangerous. So, even if your lights are waterproof, putting them in the water is still not advisable.
Final Verdict
While you can use your string lights on all night, never leave them plugged in and unattended. If you’re not using them, just unplug them and put them away. That way, you can avoid any potential accidents.
But if you intend to use them for an overnight event, then leave them on. They are safe, efficient, don’t overheat, and for the most part, won’t spoil your celebration. Just make sure to unplug them when the event is over.