Once upon a time, decorating a Christmas tree meant balancing candles on branches. But in 1882, holiday lights went electric, with the first string of hand-wired lights placed on a tree. While that practice was a big improvement, electricity still poses dangers of its own.
National Christmas Lights Day is Dec. 1. Omaha Public Power District has some guidance to help keep your holidays merry, bright and, most importantly, safe.
“Be sure and stay away from power lines when you’re hanging outdoor lights. That includes any ladders you may be using,” said Arlo Christensen, director of Safety, Training & Health for OPPD. “That includes ladders. Always look up and be aware of your surroundings.”
Falls are typically the highest emergency room-related injuries during the holidays, Christensen said. So, inspect your ladder before climbing on it to put up decorations.
“Set your ladder up so it’s stable and not too steep. Get someone to hold it, if possible,” he advised. “Don’t reach too far. Get down and move your ladder as needed.”
Use only newer lights with thicker wiring that are required to have safety fuses to prevent overheating, Christensen said. Make sure they’re approved by a testing laboratory like UL or ETL/ITSNA.
Check labels on lights you plan to use outside, to make sure they are certified for outdoor use. Do not drive nails, staples or tacks through wiring insulation. And only plug them in to ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected receptacles.
“If you have not already, consider making a switch to LEDs for your outdoor and indoor lighting,” Christensen said. “They run cooler to the touch to reduce fire risks, but they also use less electricity, helping to lower your electric bill. They also last longer, saving you money in the long run.”
He has some more guidance when it comes to lighting up your Christmas tree or other indoor areas:
Finally, the holidays are a prime time for fires in the home. In fact, one of every four Christmas tree fires in homes is caused by electrical problems.
Even though they are not common, Christmas tree fires are more likely to be serious, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Beyond the tree itself, the holidays often also involve candles and decorations that are subject to fire hazards. Statistics show the top three days for candle-related fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Overall, candles start two out of five home decoration structure fires.
The infographic below from the U.S. Fire Administration offers more tips to ensure a fire-free holiday season.
For more information on electricity safety, visit OPPD.com/safety.
Jodi Baker writes stories and shoots videos for The Wire. Jodi was a television news reporter before she came to work for OPPD as a media specialist in 2013. Jodi earned her degree in broadcasting from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She's worked for news stations from her hometown of Omaha to sunny San Diego. She’s married with two bright and energetic children (a boy and a girl) and an allergy-ridden little Cairn Terrier. She and her husband enjoy catching up on some grown-up DVR time once the kiddos are asleep.
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