Family Resource Management

Family Resource Management

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ENSURING A CALM, BRIGHT HOLIDAY SEASON

Strands of holiday lights seem innocent enough, but when too many are plugged into a single outlet you run the risk of overloading a circuit. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 6,000 people are injured by holiday decorations and accidents involving Christmas trees each year.

As the holiday season approaches there are hidden dangers lurking in and around the home that can put a damper on holiday cheer. Use caution both when decorating your home for the holidays or leaving home for a holiday vacation and follow these safety tips:

  1. Avoid Circuit Overload: Signs of an overloaded circuit include lights that flicker or dim, an outlet or switch that feels warm to the touch, and a tripped circuit or blown fuse. Never plug more than three strands of lights into one another or into a single extension cord. If a strand of lights, or an extension cord feels warm to the touch, unplug some of your decorations or use a thicker extension cord.
  2. Check Decorations and Wiring: Always check the condition of each light strand before you use it. Check for broken or cracked sockets, loose connections, and frayed or cut insulation. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. And always be sure to turn off you lights when going to sleep or leaving the house.
  3. Follow Rating Guidelines: Outdoors use only lights rated for outdoor use, and indoors, those designed to be used inside. Make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a GFCI receptacle, preferably one with a weatherproof cover. Another option is to purchase an inexpensive extension cord set that has a built-in GFCI receptacle.

    When connecting the lights, first plug the GFCI cord set into the outdoor outlet. Next plug your extension cords and holiday lights into the GFCI cord set. GFCI cord sets are available at hardware stores and home centers for $25.
  4. Protecting Your Children: Christmas lights entice small children to grab hold or worse—put them in their mouths. String the lowest strand of holiday lights out of the reach of infants and toddlers and avoid putting small, breakable ornaments on lower branches. Installing outlet caps over exposed outlets will prevent your child from coming in contact with the receptacle. Keep extension cords out of the way so they can’t be pulled, stepped on or tripped over.
  5. Protect Your Home: If your going out of town this holiday season make sure you protect your property from burglary and theft. The number of burglaries rises dramatically during the holiday season. There are many steps homeowners can take to protect their homes. Most are simple, like installing deadbolts on all outside doors and making sure doors and windows are securely locked before leaving home. Adequate nighttime outdoor lighting is an important deterrent that will make your house less attractive to a burglar.