Keep safety on holiday 'to do' list

The days are counting down until family and friends arrive for holiday celebrations. You may have a number of items left on your “to do” list before the decorating is complete and you are ready to entertain guests, but be sure to keep safety at the top of that list at all times.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating.

“As you prepare for holiday and family celebrations, look for and eliminate potential threats posed by holiday lighting, decorating, and entertaining,” says Molly Hall, executive director of the Safe Electricity program. “Taking simple safety tips can help keep you and your family safe this holiday season.”

Many homes will be decorated with trees and electric lights. As the National Christmas Tree Association points out, real Christmas trees do not spontaneously combust. The association identifies overloaded electrical outlets and faulty wires as the most common cause of fires. Make sure that you:

• Use only holiday lights that have been safety tested and have the UL label.
• Check each light strand for broken sockets, frayed cords, or faulty plugs; and always be sure to unplug the lights when replacing a bulb.  
• Don’t string together more than three standard-size sets of lights or you could risk overheating the circuit.  
• Match plugs with outlets. Don’t force a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet or extension cord, or remove the third prong.
• Always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving your home.
• Make sure extension cords are in good condition and are UL-approved cords rated to carry the electrical load you will connect to them.
• Also, place fresh-cut trees away from heat sources such as heat registers, fireplaces, radiators, and televisions; and water a fresh-cut tree frequently.

Increased traffic—including children and pets—in your home over the holidays increases the importance of keeping electric cords out of high-traffic areas. Do not run cords through doorways; staple, nail, or tack them to the wall; or hide them under rugs or carpets. Do not let children or pets play with light strands for electrical decorations.

Over 30 percent of home fires and injuries are caused by cooking, according to the National Fire Protection Agency, so remember to:

• Inspect all small appliances and electric cords to make sure they are in good repair before using. Don’t use appliances with cracked or frayed cords.
• Read the operating instructions of any appliance before use.  
• When purchasing new kitchen appliances, look for UL-Listed appliances with automatic shut-off features.
• Never plug more than one high-wattage appliance into a single outlet.  
• Keep cooking areas empty and devoid of grease. • Stay focused and attentive to baking, brewing, and simmering foods.  
• Make sure outlets near sinks are equipped with properly tested ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent shocks.  
• Always have a working fire extinguisher on hand, and know how to operate it.

“Flickering or dimming lights and monitors, sparks from appliances or outlets, and wall plates, plugs, or cords that are warm to the touch are warning signs that demand immediate attention,” warns Hall. “If you spot an electrical danger, make sure to unplug the malfunctioning appliance immediately and get a replacement.”

Safe Electricity is a program of the Energy Education Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting electrical safety and energy efficiency. For more information on electrical safety, visit www.SafeElectricity.org.