Don't let the rush and excitement of holiday decorating distract you from taking important safety precautions. Tri-County Electric Co-op offers these tips for safe holiday decorating.
- Never place your Christmas tree—artificial or real—near heat-emitting devices, such as space heaters, which can create a fire hazard.
- Lights that are hung inside or outside should be certified by an accredited independent testing laboratory. Check for a seal that confirms its certification.
- Make sure holiday lights and extension cords are made for the location in which they will be used—whether indoors or outside.
- When decorating outside, always look up and double-check that you and any equipment, such as a ladder, are at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.
- Outdoor lights and decorations should be plugged into an outlet with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection.
- Be sure to turn off all lights before leaving your home or going to sleep. A timer can help you do this.