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.

The following are do’s and don’ts provided by TDI/DWC for working safely with extension cords:

Don’t:

• Use an indoor extension cord in outdoor environments.

• Attempt to plug extension cords into one another.

• Use an extension cord that has a lower wattage rating than the tool being used with it.

• Overload cords.

• Force a plug into an outlet.

• Use a wet extension cord. • Overheat an extension cord.

• Drive over a cord.

• Drag an extension cord.

• 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.

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...

...continued from page 9

sockets without bulbs. It might seem tedious, but damage to the cord or light bulb could cause an electrical shock when plugged in, or worse, an electrical fire.

Tip 2. Switch to LED Lights

If you’re in the market to purchase new Christmas lights, consider LED Lights with epoxy lenses. LED lights are cool to touch, compared to traditional Christmas lights, and use less electricity. Since most holiday fires are caused by overheated bulbs on a Christmas tree, switching to LED lights could prevent your tree from catching fire.

Tip 3. Follow the Rule of Three

Most manufacturers agree that plugging in more than three sets of Christmas light strands into a single extension cord may cause problems with overheating. It depends on both the strand’s wattage and the maximum watt capacity of the plug. You might want to strongly consider using a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker instead of directly into a wall outlet. Make sure you cross-reference the total wattage of your (combined) Christmas lights to the amount of your power strip before you plug it in.

Tip 4. Look for Christmas Lights with a UL Safety Certification.

Some Christmas lights will include a UL Safety Certification, meaning that the lights have been designed and manufactured to meet industry specifications from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent product safety certification origin.

Lights that have these certifications will be safer to use in your home, as compared to lights that do not have this certification. Examine what you are using, and if they are not UL Certified, you might want to upgrade to ones that do have this minimum standard.

Tip 5. Keep Your Christmas Tree Hydrated

For those who use live trees, other than overheated Christmas lights, fires are also caused by dry Christmas trees. A dry tree will be more flammable compared to one that has been maintained properly. For real trees, make sure you check the water every day to keep the tree from drying out. If you prefer the artificial tree, make sure the tree is made from fire-resistant materials.

Tip 6. Use Outdoor and Indoor Lights, as Designated

Christmas lights are labeled by their use, so you will see a disclaimer that reads “for indoor use only” or “for indoor and outdoor use.” Make sure you read this carefully and be aware, you could be creating a fire hazard by using outdoor lights in an indoor application or indoor lights in an outdoor application.

Tip 7. Use Ladders Appropriately

Since falls are the highest emergency room-related injury during the holidays, it’s important to know how to safely use a ladder when hanging Christmas lights off the roof of your home or in any space that would require a ladder.

Have a spotter with you at all times to hold the ladder for stability. When hanging Christmas lights, never extend your body further than parallel with the ladder to prevent tipping. Consider a wooden or fiberglass ladder when you’re working with Christmas lights to prevent an electric shock.

Tip 8. Use Christmas Light Clips Instead of Nails or Screws

When hanging outdoor Christmas lights on your roof, don’t use nails or screws to secure the lights as they can puncture the wires, causing the lights to malfunction, or worse, shock the person installing them.

Instead, opt for light clips found at any hardware store to secure the lights onto the house. The light clips are safer and will cause less damage to the roof or exterior of your home. Additionally, using clips instead of screws are nails eliminates the possibility of creating an electrical short by piercing household wiring.

Tip 9. Secure Al Loose Light Strands

If you need to use an extension cord or have a long strand of lights between your Christmas tree and outlet, make sure you secure all loose light strands with electrical tape to avoid trips and falls.

If you have loose light strands outdoors, secure them with group staples (found at any hardware store). You simply place the staple around the light and push as far as you can into the grass or soft surfaces to secure the cords.

Tip 10. Don’t Run Cords or Lights Through Windows or Doors

If you don’t have access to an outdoor outlet. You may find it challenging to light up your home this holiday season. Remember that it is not advisable to run Christmas lights or extension cords through windows or doors.

When closed on the light strand, windows and doors can cause wires to break or become frayed from constant pressure, making them a safety hazard for shocks or electric fires.

Tip 11. Use A GFCI Outlet For Outdoor Lights

There is a specific outlet used for outdoor Christmas lights called a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This device prevents electric shock from electrical systems that could be exposed to wet conditions, such as rain or snow; when activated, this device works as a circuit breaker. This is particularly helpful if your outlet is outdoors. Make sure to protect yourself and your home from electrical shorts by purchasing a GFCI outlet device.

Tip 12. Don’t Forget To Turn Off The Lights

Christmas lights should not be left on for prolonged periods of time or overnight. Even LED lights can overheat, and with a combination of a dry Christmas tree, could cause a fire. Make it a habit to turn off your Christmas lights every time you leave the house or go to bed.

To make life easier, purchase a light timer, and set a time to turn off and on at pre-determined times. There are now options to use your smartphone to control your Christmas lights.

Stay Safe!