Lighting the way with a few tips for safe decorating

November 11, 2019

Lights, lights and more lights. Houses all around are, or soon will be, lit up for the holiday season. Twinkling lights are an enjoyable and festive sight, but they don’t come without risks. The main danger is the potential for a house fire. By taking a few precautions, you’ll go a long way toward making sure you get to take pleasure in the brightness of the season without any hazards.

  • First things first – Be sure your lights are in good shape: no frayed wires, loose sockets or damaged connections.
  • Follow the rules – Never link more light strands together than called for by the manufacturer.
  • No loosey-goosey lights – Make sure they are fastened securely to avoid being blown off by wind or a storm and becoming a possible safety hazard.
  • Respect your outlets – Don’t overload electrical outlets. Use an extension cord or find another outlet.
  • Turn ’em off – Lights should be turned off when you turn in for the night and when you leave home.

 And since the extra lighting can increase your electricity usage, you might want to consider using more energy-efficient LED lights as well as a timer so they don’t stay on any longer than necessary.