Each year, more than 1,000 home structure fires begin with holiday decorations. Before you hang holiday decorations, consider these safety tips from AES Indiana.
Top 10 safety tips for holiday decorations
Use the right lights— Check whether your lights are designated for indoor or outdoor use and use appropriately.
Damage check— Look for fraying or damage on light cords and sockets. If you see damage, replace the light strand.
Don't overload— You can be festive with lots of lights, just be sure you don't overload your electrical circuits.
Limit three— Don't string together more than three strands of incandescent lights on a single extension cord.
Look up for power lines— When hanging lights around your roof line or in trees, be sure to survey the area for overhead power lines and maintain at least a ten-foot distance.
Be grounded — Plug outdoor lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).
Avoid fire hazards— Never leave burning candles unattended.
Care for your tree— If decorating a live tree, make sure it is fresh when you purchase it and keep it well-watered to help prevent drying.
Children and pet safety — Place lights, strings, ribbon, dreidels, and breakable ornaments out of the reach of children and pets.
Use LED lights— In addition to energy-savings benefits, LEDs stay cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire. LEDs are also made of epoxy, not glass, so they are more resistant to breakage.
