PECO offers tip on holiday lighting safety

The holiday season is upon us, bringing decorations, festivities, holiday cheer – and tips from PECO to get in the holiday spirit while staying safe.

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

Only decorate with lights approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL).
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the number of lights that can be safely connected together.
Check all lights for cracked or broken plugs, loose connections, frayed insulation or exposed (bare) wires.
Discard damaged sets of lights.
Turn off all decorative lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
Consider using energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting products. These products produce about 75 percent less heat, and are safer to operate than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Outdoor Lighting Safety Tips

Ensure decorative lights used outside are approved for outdoor use.
Hang outdoor lights with insulated staples or hooks rather than nails or tacks.
Always be aware of all power lines when decorating outdoors.
Never work near overhead power lines or anywhere there is a possibility of contacting an overhead power line, either directly or indirectly with a ladder or other piece of equipment.
Do not string lights on outdoor trees that are growing into or near power lines.

Indoor Lighting Safety Tips

Ensure cords inside your home do not pose a tripping hazard.
Do not overload wall outlets and extension cords.
Do not place cords under rugs, furniture or other appliances. Covered cords can overheat or become frayed and can cause a fire.
Keep all electric cords and extension cords out of the reach of children.