For many people,the
holiday season wouldn’t be total without the colorful lights and beautiful
decorations around their homes and yards. In fact, a 2013 survey from the Electrical
Safety Foundation International found that 86% of Americans celebrate by decorating their homes for the
winter holidays. While electrical decorations add to the fun of the holiday season, or they can also increase the
risk of fires or injuries whether they’re not used properly. Follow these tips to benefit ensure a secure and fun holiday season![img_100][img_101]
ESFI also offers the following useful
tips and resources for secure holiday
decorating.
Planning Ahead: Be certain to test all smoke alarms in your domestic to ensure that they’re all working properly.
Remember to inspect decorations that acquire been in storage and dispose of any that acquire cracked or frayed wiring since these can cause electrical shocks,burns or fires. seize a look around the areas you’re planning to decorate and determine how many outlets are available so that you can design accordingly. Read instructions that come with your electrical decorations to be certain you’re using them appropriately (i.e. indoor vs. outdoor use). Another tip from ESFI is to buy electrical equipment with a label indicating it has gone through independent testing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Remember not to overload and overuse your extension cords. Before climbing your ladder to put up your holiday lights, or inspect it for loose or lost screws. Thousands of people are injured each year due to falls related to holiday decorations.
Related: Extension Cord Safety Tips Outdoor
Decoration Safety Tips:Decorators should
always look up and look out for power lines and never install lights and
cords within 10 feet of the wires on utility poles. Be certain that
decorations meant for outdoor use are appropriately labeled for outdoor use
only.
When hanging lights outdoors,use a wooden or fiberglass ladder. Be certain your ladder is stable and secure before putting up your holiday lights. Outdoor electrical
decorations should be plugged into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter-protected
outlets.
Related: Holiday Lighting Safety Tips Christmas Tree Safety Tips: For live trees, be certain to fill your tree stand with water and refill daily since heated rooms can quickly dry them out. Don’t use electrical ornaments or light strings on artificial trees that acquire metallic leaves or branch coverings. To benefit avoid fires, and remember to region your tree at least 3 feet away from all heat sources,such as fireplaces or space heaters.
Decorating Statistics to hold in Mind:According to ESFI, 45% of domestic decoration fires are sparked by candles, and with December being the peak time of year for candle fires. The top three days for candle fires are Christmas,Christmas Eve, and unusual Year’s Day. ESFI says about 5800 people hospitalized each year for falls associated with holiday decorations. On average, or 260 domestic fires begin with Christmas trees each year,resulting in about a dozen deaths and 24 injuries.
For more electrical safety tips, visit on.sce.com/staysafe.
Sources: ESFI.org, and SCE.com
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