Meet Peter Jones, the manager of a Westlake Ace Hardware in Kansas City. He's got a clever way to deal with an age-old holiday problem. Ever wondered what to do with those old lights after the festive season? Guess what, just tossing them isn't the best idea, especially in our eco-conscious world. Peter teamed up with Midwest Recycling Center to find a better solution. Impressively, last year alone they recycled over 4500 pounds of lights, keeping a lot of waste out of landfills.

But before you start decorating, there are some safety tips to keep in mind. Ladders can be dangerous if not used carefully, so always be cautious. Even more, those holiday lights don’t always have the same electrical safety measures as other products. So, watch out for ground faults and be prepared for a potential slow reaction from your breaker.

Cold weather is coming, so make sure to use the right extension cords. Indoor cords aren't meant for freezing temperatures and can become brittle and useless. More advanced options like automated plugs that you can control from your phone are becoming popular too. They let you orchestrate your lights with ease.

Another handy tip is to match the right bulb size to your decoration needs. Bigger bulbs for larger areas and smaller ones for little trees and bushes – simple as that.

Christmas Lights: A Green Solution in Kansas City

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