Electrical safety isn’t always at the top of everyone’s Christmas list. But it should be. According to a consumer survey done by ESFI, 86% of Americans decorate their homes as a part of their winter holiday celebrations. 60% of those individuals use extension cords.
There is an unexplainable magic when it comes to holiday lighting, pushing electrical safety down in people’s minds. However, even in the splendor of Christmas decorations, homes that use electrical decorations are at an increased risk for fires & electrical injuries when not used properly.
We want to give you the gift of electrical safety this holiday season, so we’ve put together a list of some electrical safety tips.
Holiday Safety Tips
- When planning which lights & extensions cords to use for your outside decorations, be sure they are outside rated. Even when a cord is outside rated, it is important that you keep them clear of standing water & protected from the elements.
- Be sure that the power cords you are using meet or exceed the needs of the devices you plan on plugging into it.
- Do not overload extension cords or power strips. You should never chain together multiple power strips. Plug power strips into an actual outlets.
- Do not run extension cords through walls, doorways, windows, or smashed under heavy furniture. Remember, extension cords are not a long term solution. They are to provide temporary power for a limited time.
- Examine all cords for signs of wear or tear. Replace worn or frayed cords immediately.
- Never string together more than three strands of incandescent lights. Consider purchasing LED lights. They run cooler & use less energy than incandescent lights.
- Unplug any decoration before replacing a bulb or fuse.
- Remember to unplug or turn off all of your electrical decorations before leaving home & going to sleep.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s use & care instructions.
- Always keep a watchful eye on small children around Christmas decorations. Lights & other decorations can be a choking hazard & can cause electrical shock if a child were to try to put it in his mouth.
Everyone here at Trinity wishes you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. If you need help with electrical safety this holiday season, give us a call at 630-499-1492.
