Holiday Lighting Electrical Safety Tips
With the holiday season upon us, many are decorating their homes with holiday lights and electric accessories to celebrate the season. As with any electrical devices around the home, it’s important to ensure that they are installed correctly installed to reduce the risk of electrocution or fire.
The following are some safely tips from The National Fire Protection Association that can help prevent the most common electrical hazards during the holiday season.
- Check light strings to see how many strings can be safely joined end to end. As a rule of thumb, don’t string together more than three smaller push-in bulbs. Light strings with screw-in bulbs should have a combined maximum of 50 bulbs.
- Before stringing lights together, inspect them for cracked sockets, frayed, loose or bare wires and loose connections.
- Always unplug light strings before replacing bulbs or fuses.
- Always turn off electric decorations when you leave home and before going to sleep.
- Never use high wattage bulbs in low wattage fixtures
- Avoid overloading extension cords and plugs.
- Never lay extension cords in wet areas, even those labeled for outdoor use.
- Always buy a fresh wreath or tree. Dry needles are a fire hazard.
