Safety Tip of the Week – Holiday Electrical Safety

With the fall and winter holidays approaching we should think about activities that include indoor and outdoor decorating. It is the time of year that we literally place lights and decorations on every place we can put them.

Unfortunately, this wonderful, festive time of decoration is also one of the busiest times for firefighters. All the beautiful lights that we string across our homes can also present a serious electrical hazard, if the proper precaution is not taken.

Before flipping the switch and showing off your hard work, make sure you have followed a few simple electrical safety tips and precautions.

This will not only ensure that we remain safe from electrical shocks and fire, but also that our lighting display is built to last through the holidays.

Holiday Electrical Safety Tips:

• Inspect electrical decorations for damage before use;
• Do not overload electrical outlets;
• Never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights;
• Keep plants fresh by watering daily;
• Use battery-operated decorations;
• Keep combustibles a least three feet from heat sources;
• Protect cords from damage;
• Check decorations for certification label; and
• Turn off, unplug, and extinguish all decorations when going to sleep or leaving your home.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY TIME DECORATING FOR THESE SEASONS!!