Decorative lights need extra care

Holiday lights can look great on your tree and adorning your home's exterior, but safety should be at the top of your list when decorating.

During the holidays, many people put themselves at increased risk to fire and electrocution. Each year, holiday decorations and Christmas trees account for almost 2,000 fires and cause more than $41 million in property damage.

The simple truth: Many of these fires could be prevented. Almost a quarter of all Christmas tree fires are started because a tree was placed too close to a heat source. And according to a recent study by the Electrical Safety Foundation International, more than 20 percent of Americans do not turn off lighted decorations before going to bed.

That's why the experts at ESFI are urging holiday revelers to follow important safety advice when decorating for the season.

* Before you begin, read and follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning installation and maintenance of all electrical decorations.

* Inspect each decoration before plugging into an outlet. Cracked, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may cause a serious electric shock or start a fire.

* Prevent shock by plugging outdoor decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.

* Avoid plugging in too many holiday lights and other decorations into a single outlet. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause a fire.

* Use only lights and electrical decorations that have been certified by a recognized independent testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL.

* Before using electrical products outdoors, make sure the product is approved and marked for outdoor use.

For more holiday electrical safety information, visit ESFI online at www.holidaysafety.org.

Information courtesy StatePoint Media