Tips for Holiday Electrical Safety

 

 

Holiday lights help make the season beautiful. They can also cause home fires. To keep your family safe:

 

 

Look at each string of lights carefully. If any are cracked or damaged, buy new ones

 

 

 

When you buy new lights, look at the box for a label that shows they have been tested for safety, such as ETL or UL.

 

Follow the directions on the box. It will tell you how many strings to use together. As a rule, UL recommends using no more than three standard-size sets of lights together.

 

 

Hang or mount light strands carefully to avoid damaging the cord's insulation

 

Do not plug in too many things at one time. Use a surge protector.

• Unplug all holiday lights when you go to sleep or leave home.

• Plug outdoor decorations into outlets protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shock.

 Automatic lighting timers can be used to ensure that lights are not left on by mistake. These are available for both indoor and outdoor use.

 

Do not put electrical cords under rugs. Try to keep them away from places people walk.

 

When replacing a holiday bulb, be sure to use the correct bulb size (wattage) that is right for the fixture.

 

Use safety caps to keep children from putting things into electrical receptacles/outlets.

 

http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_holiday_w001.asp