How to choose a high-quality Christmas garland for home and street
A Christmas garland is a key element of the festive decor, capable of transforming the interior and creating a magical atmosphere. Today, the market offers a wide range of models, from classic string lights with integrated LEDs to complex outdoor structures. Izvestia tells us what to look for when buying, how to choose a high-quality and safe garland for home and street.
What kind of garlands are there
The choice of lighting decoration depends on personal preferences and what is planned to be decorated: a Christmas tree, a window, the facade of a building or trees on a country plot. Garlands, nets, curtains, decorations in the form of icicles, cones, and Christmas tree toys are best suited for homes. At the same time, home garlands may not be protected from moisture and temperature fluctuations, while outdoor garlands have a higher degree of protection.
The classic garland is a thread. A universal option, which is a wire with LEDs evenly spaced along its length. It is suitable for decorating Christmas trees, doorways, window frames and street structures.
Fringe and curtain. The model consists of a main wire and many dangling strands of different or the same length. Creates the effect of flowing light. It is ideal for decorating windows, balconies, cornices and facades.
Net. It consists of intertwined wires forming cells. It allows you to quickly illuminate a large area, such as a wall, roof, or hedge. The effect is achieved by evenly distributing the luminous dots.
Duralight. The LEDs are enclosed in a transparent flexible PVC cord, which provides protection from moisture and mechanical damage. It is used to create contour lighting, inscriptions and complex shapes both indoors and outdoors.
Belt light. A model with large lamps, stylized as classic incandescent lamps. It is often used in loft-style interiors and for street decoration, creating a retro atmosphere.
Clip-light. The LEDs are fixed in plastic clips at an equal distance from each other. The flexible design allows you to fix the garland on railings, tree branches or cornices without additional fasteners.
How to choose a Christmas garland
In order for the garland to last a long time, you need to pay attention to several key parameters when buying. The primary criterion is its reliability and safety. Only models with a protection class of at least IP44 are suitable for outdoor use. This marking means protection from splashing water and solid particles. The wire must be long (at least 10 m), made of frost-resistant rubber or silicone. For home interiors, models with IP20 or IP33 are acceptable, where the wire can be PVC insulated.
It is worth remembering that a high—quality wire is the key to safety. Experts recommend choosing garlands with a copper conductor, which has a characteristic pinkish-golden hue under transparent insulation. The cable cross—section should not be less than 0.5 mm2 - thin wires have high resistance and may overheat. Soldering points, connections to the power supply and plug must also be strong, without damage to the insulation.
For those who prefer retro garlands with incandescent lamps, it is important to know that such models become very hot during operation, they can only be used for a short time and should never be left unattended.
What else should I pay attention to:
The length of the garland. To decorate the Christmas tree, it is recommended to use a light thread, the length of which is 2.5–3 times the height of the tree. For example, a two-meter spruce will require 6-10 m of garland. When calculating, it is important to take into account not only the luminous part, but also the length of the supply wire — for indoor models it should be at least 1.5 m.
The type of food. The power supply of the Christmas garland can be stationary or autonomous. For home garlands, 220 V mains power (stationary) is most often used, as well as from batteries or an accumulator (autonomous). Garlands with a USB port are the most convenient. They are mobile, they can be connected to a powerbank or a computer.
The color of the glow. You can choose warm white, cool white or multicolored. The warm yellow glow creates a cozy atmosphere and is ideal for bedrooms or living rooms. Cool white is good for loft, high-tech, street and facades. Multicolor is suitable for creating a cheerful, festive atmosphere and themed decorations.
The presence of a controller or remote control. The control element can be a block on the garland cable or a dimmer — a rotating brightness control. Thanks to it, you can change the modes: blinking, smooth fading, static light. The remote control is needed for remote control, setting up lighting effects and setting a timer.
Safety for children and pets
The bright garland invariably attracts the attention of small children and pets, which requires maximum precautions.
Battery priority. Battery-powered garlands are preferred for children's rooms and areas accessible to infants. The low voltage makes them safe even when trying to chew the wire.
Correct placement. Garlands should be placed out of reach of children and pets. For example, they can be hung on high shelves, cornices, or the top of a Christmas tree.
Wire protection. It is recommended to hide the electrical wire in a flexible corrugated tube, which is sold in any hardware store. This will protect him from the sharp teeth of pets and toddlers.
Barriers and repellents. It is better to organize the connection behind the furniture, creating a physical barrier. To protect the wire from animals, it can be treated with special sprays with the scent of citrus or mint.
General rules for the operation of garlands
A luminous garland is an electrical appliance that must be operated according to safety regulations. Before switching on the device for the first time, it must be inspected for damage to the insulation, the reliability of the light bulbs and the plug.
Careful handling. In order for the garland to last a long time, do not allow strong bends of the wire, twist or tangle it. This can lead to damage to the live wires.
Prohibition of repairs. An old or faulty garland should not be repaired by yourself. In case of breakage, the product should be disposed of or contact a service center.
Installation away from heat sources. It is forbidden to hang garlands near heaters, radiators and open flames. It is also important to keep in mind that interior models are not designed for rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms.
Disconnection during prolonged absence. When leaving home or going to bed, the garland must be disconnected from the mains or other power source.
Following these simple rules will allow you to create a truly festive and, most importantly, a safe atmosphere in the house.
Earlier, Izvestia told how to choose gifts for the New Year.
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