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Enjoy a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season by Decorating Safely

Tips from Starkville Utilities can help prevent fire and electrical hazards

As Starkville begins to sparkle with holiday lights and decorations, Starkville Utilities is encouraging customers to decorate safely and prevent accidents and injuries.

Each year, incidents related to holiday lighting lead to injuries and fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 835 home structure fires per year that begin with holiday decorations, not including Christmas trees. These fires result in millions of dollars in damages and highlight the need for increased safety awareness as people deck the halls.

“Electricity plays a major role in holiday decorations, so it’s important for customers to be aware of their surroundings to avoid electrical hazards and prevent fires,” said Edward Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “It pays to be proactive by reviewing safety reminders and taking a few extra steps to keep our homes and families safe.”

By following helpful tips to eliminate hazards, customers can prevent most holiday electrical fires from starting in the first place. Here are a few to be aware of:

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

• When decorating outdoors, use lights and decorations that are rated for outdoor use. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines and do not overload circuits.
• Reduce your risk of electric shock by using ladders made of non-conductive materials like wood or fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Securely position them on firm, even surfaces.
• Turn off the electricity before replacing bulbs.
• Never let light bulbs touch flammable materials such as dry grass and leaves.
• Work only with three-wire grounded extension cords for outside use.
• Use rubber gaskets in light sockets or hang sockets downward to keep water out.
• Keep connections and lights off the ground by hanging them over wooden stakes.

INDOOR LIGHTING

• Inspect lights and decorations for signs of damage to wire insulation, plugs and bulbs. If cords and plugs are old or damaged, discard and replace them.
• Buy only UL-listed products when shopping for lights, electric decorations and cords.
• Consider using safer LED lights that produce very little heat, last up to 25 times longer and use 75 percent less electricity than the older incandescent type.
• Do not overload extension cords and wall outlets. Know the wattage rating of extension cords and the power requirements of lights and decorations plugged into them. Every so often, check the strands to make sure they are not warm to the touch.
• Never place cords under rugs and doors or through windows where they might be pinched or become worn.
• Children are fascinated by lights. Keep them safe by making sure all light sockets have bulbs in them.
• Never leave lights on unattended. Always turn off all lights and decorations before going to bed or leaving the house.

The easiest way to avoid Christmas tree fires is to invest in artificial trees made with fire-resistant materials. If using a live tree, make sure it is fresh when purchased, has plenty of water and is not allowed to dry out. Never burn candles on or near the tree and never use flammable decorations. Avoid using electric lights on metallic trees as they can easily become charged with electricity and deliver a shock when touched.

“By taking a few extra precautions, you can ensure that the holidays remain a time for celebration and joy, without the worry of accidents or emergencies,” said Kemp. “From our family to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.”

For more information, check out this helpful brochure from the Consumer Product Safety Commission or these tip sheets and videos from the NFPA.

Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.