The Electrical Alliance sends the best wishes of safety, health, and happiness to you during the holiday season and to the New Year.
While the holiday season brings much joy, it is also unfortunately a common time for home fires and electrical mishaps. Use these electrical holiday safety tips to keep this time of year accident-free:
- Check indoor and outdoor lights before using them. To check, place them on a non-flammable surface and plug them in for at least 15 minutes to ensure they don’t smoke or melt.
- Check lights, new and old, for broken bulbs, cracked sockets, and loose connections. Also, check the wiring insulation to ensure it has not been frayed or cut.
- When purchasing holiday lights, select those that use low-wattage bulbs. Be sure that the lights are UL safety approved.
- Circuits, outlets, and extension cords should not be overloaded. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how many strings of lights can be safely connected together.
- When stringing outdoor lights, use a dry wooden or fiberglass ladder, and stay clear of overhead power lines.
- Use insulated clip hangers to hang lights–stay away from nails, tacks, and staples.
- Don’t use indoor lights outdoors–they are not waterproof.
- Don’t use outdoor lights indoors–they burn hotter than indoor lights.
- Water your live tree every day to avoid the risk of fire.
- Look for the safety label when purchasing an artificial tree–it should be flame resistant.
- Illuminate a metal tree with a spotlight. Never use regular tree lights.
- Unplug the lights when changing a bulb and don’t connect lights while adjusting them on the tree.
- Don’t run extension cords underneath rugs or carpet.
- Install smoke detectors throughout your house and check the batteries annually.
- Don’t leave holiday lights on while you’re sleeping or away from home. Place lights on a timer to ensure lights are turned off at night.
Best wishes to you & yours. Enjoy the holidays and have a happy new year!
