Safety News
EXTENSION CORD AND CHRISTMAS LIGHT SAFETY Electrical extension cords are used in many office buildings, worksites, and homes, and should be treated with caution. The Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation reminds workers that correct use of extension cords is a crucial component of on-the-job electrical safety.
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Overheat an extension cord.
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Drive over a cord.
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Drag an extension cord.
The following are do’s and don’ts provided by TDI/DWC for working safely with extension cords:
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Place cords under rugs or carpets or in busy areas.
Christmas Lights & Safety Tips: For some, the holiday season starts the day after Halloween, while others prefer to wait until they’ve carved into the Thanksgiving bird to decorate their home in white, red, green, blue, and other festively colored lights. Whether you’re an early bird or a week- of decorator, most homeowners can agree that hanging Christmas lights will be the most time-consuming task for the holidays and one of the most dangerous.
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Use an indoor extension cord in outdoor environments.
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Attempt to plug extension cords into one another.
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Use an extension cord that has a lower wattage rating than the tool being used with it.
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Overload cords.
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Force a plug into an outlet.
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Use a wet extension cord.
December 2021
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas lights cause 40% of Christmas tree fires, and overall decorations caused more than 15,000 injuries resulting in an emergency room visit with falls being the highest at 34%, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (COSC). Knowing how to properly install and maintain your Christmas lights could be the difference between happy holidays or more than just chestnuts roasting over an open fire. Below are safety tips for your consideration.
Tip 1. Replace Old or Damaged Christmas Lights Before plugging in last year’s Christmas lights, inspect their condition to make sure they’re up to par. Inspect for cracked or frayed cords, wires poking through the insulation, and continued to page 10... Texas Water Utilities Journal | www.twua.org 9
