Holiday Light Tips

Epilepsy Foundation New England Encourages Everyone To Be Aware This Holiday Season

Approximately 3-5% of people living with epilepsy have what is known as photosensitive epilepsy, where their seizures are triggered by flashing lights. Flashing or patterned effects usually make those with epilepsy feel disoriented and uncomfortable, or can even trigger a seizure. That is why Epilepsy Foundation New England has developed these 5 Tips for making your holiday displays epilepsy friendly.

1. Avoid flashing lights. Christmas lights that flicker or flash between 16 and 25 times per second are among the biggest epilepsy triggers. Be aware, that if several circuits are flashing together or there is a malfunction of the lights, this can accidentally increase the flash rate. 
2. Designate a “Quiet Time”. This time of year the sun is setting very early. Children are in afterschool programs long and people are leaving work long after the sun goes down. We recommend homeowners hold off on the displays until after 6PM to allow others to make it home without experiencing potentially triggering events. 
3. The color of the lights matter. Red lights are more likely to trigger seizures than white or blue lights. We recommend keeping red heavy displays off during “Quiet Time.”
4. Be a good neighbor. Not all disabilities are visible. It is best to check with your neighbors before setting up displays. If a neighbor is photosensitive, avoid setting up decorations that may face their home or work with them to find an agreeable scheduled time for the display to be on.
5. Don’t forget about indoor lights. Concerns over Christmas lights go beyond outdoor displays. If your decorations are easily visible from the road or you have company over your decorations could pose a health risk. 

For those with photosensitivity, remember to be prepared and have a seizure plan in place, wear polarized sunglasses when around light displays, and if you do look at a flashing display don’t close your eyes. It is best to cover one eye and look the other direction to minimize the number of brain cells stimulated by the flashing lights.