According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, 150 home fires start with holiday lights and other decorative lighting each year.
When you’re ready to put up your lights, think about these tips for keeping your property safe:
- Make sure you’re using lights that have been safety tested and are appropriate for the way they’ll be used.
- Check all of your lights, especially older ones, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections and toss any damaged sets. Practice good extension cord safety. Never run cords under rugs or coil them tightly around themselves, which can cause them to overheat. Use only lights and cords approved by OSHA-certified laboratories, like Underwriters Laboratory (UL). The U.S. Fire Administration recommends linking no more than three strands of lights. However, if you’re using energy-saving LEDs, the U.S. Department of Energy says it’s safe to connect 25 strands end to end.
- Plug outdoor lights and decorations into “GFCI” grounding outlets. Portable GFCI units can be purchased where electrical supplies are sold.
- Always look up before decorating outdoors. Never raise ladders or extend objects into or near power lines.
- Always turn off lights when you are not home.
- Use extension cords that are rated to carry the electrical loads connected to them.
- To reduce the risk of fire, don’t overload a circuit.
- Use caution to avoid driving nails, staples or tacks through wiring insulation.
Original source can be found here.
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